Ready to support NC-Congress alliance: Naeem

Srinagar, Oct 7: Ahead of Tuesday’s vote count for the J&K assembly polls, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader and former minister Naeem Akhtar said that the party was ready to support a National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance if needed but PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s media adviser, Iltija Mufti Monday termed the reports of her party extending support to NC as “unnecessary speculation”.

“We are ready to support NC-Congress if needed,” Akhtar said. “Yes, we are ready to support the alliance, any secular arrangement that includes Congress, as we are part of the INDIA alliance with them.”

On whether the PDP was currently in talks with Congress or NC, Akhtar said, “No.”

Congress had earlier stated that doors were open for like-minded parties to join the alliance.

Meanwhile, PDP candidate for south Kashmir’s Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency and the media adviser to PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija Mufti Monday termed the reports of her party extending support to NC as “unnecessary speculation”.

She said the party’s senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front after the results are declared.

“Unnecessary speculation. Let me put the record straight. PDP’s senior leadership will take a call on extending support to a secular front only once the results are out. This is our official stand,” Iltija wrote on her official X handle.

Earlier, NC President and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah welcomed the reports of Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP extending support to his party to form a government.