NC won't align with BJP to form next govt in J&K: Lone

The National Conference today said it would not enter into a coalition with BJP to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir, while reiterating the party's offer of support to PDP.
"We are not going to join hands with the BJP at any cost," senior NC leader Mohammad Akbar Lone told reporters here after the party's core group meeting.
He said NC was ready to join hands with the PDP if the regional party talks about the welfare of the people of the state.
"If the PDP talks about regional aspirations, then as a regional party, as a primary party, we need to join hands with such people who work for the unity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and we are ready to help them," Lone said.

On the issue of the recommendations made by a Joint Parliamentary Committee on giving residency and voting rights to West Pakistan refugees, the NC leader said his party would launch an agitation if the Centre goes ahead with such a move.
"We will launch an agitation if that happens. We will protest it," he said.

NC working president Omar Abdullah convened a meeting of the party's core group at his residence here to discuss the current political situation in the state.
"The meeting was chaired by Omar and attended by senior NC leaders including party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar," NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said.

He said various aspects of the current political situation were discussed in the meeting.
"In addition to discussion over the current situation, Omar, during the meeting, told the senior party leaders to ensure that party leaders and representatives remain at the service of the common masses and leave no stone unturned in seeking the timely redressal of public issues," he said.
The NC core group meeting comes three days after Governor's rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after caretaker Chief Minister Omar asked to be relieved of his duties on January 7.
The results of state elections on December 23 threw up a hung Assembly with no political party or combination of parties staking claim for government formation.