Congress will never ally with PDP, says Ghulam Nabi Azad

Congress on Sunday ruled out any alliance with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir for now or in the future. The remark came after media reports on a possible tie-up between the parties.

Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told PTI that there was no question of any alliance with the PDP, which lost power in the state after the BJP withdrew support from the coalition government.

“There is no question, for now or in the future, of forging an alliance with the PDP,” Azad said.

The PDP has 28 seats and the Congress has 12 in the 87-member state Assembly. A simple majority of 44 seats is required to form the government and some PDP members have been trying to seek the support of the CPI(M) and independent members.

However, Azad’s statement is expected to scuttle their efforts to form a new alliance in the state.

The Congress leader has called a meeting on Kashmir on Monday to discuss the future strategy of the Congress in the state which will be followed by a two-day conclave in Srinagar that will be attended by party leaders from Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir.

BJP had pulled out of the alliance government last month, forcing Mehbooba Mufti resign as the chief minister.

(With inputs from PTI)