Farooq Abdullah rules out post-poll alliance with BJP | India News – Times of India

SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah ruled out Saturday any possibility of a post-poll alliance with BJP to form the next govt in J&K after results of the assembly elections are declared on Oct 8.
Abdullah stressed that any party that aligns with BJP would “vanish” in J&K. “The vote we got here is the vote against BJP,” said the former J&K CM, whose party contested the three-phase elections (Sept 18 to Oct 1) in alliance with Congress.
“The difficulties they (BJP) put the Muslims in, bulldozed their shops, houses, mosques, and schools — do you think we will go with them?” PTI quoted him as saying.“I think our people will not vote for BJP. If they (BJP) think they will form the govt, then they live in cuckoo’s world.”
NC vice president and Farooq’s son Omar Abdullah echoed his father’s sentiments, saying the party would prefer to sit in opposition rather than forge an alliance with BJP. “Any kind of arrangement would ruin any party in Kashmir,” he said.
The statements came in response to speculation of potential post-election alliances, particularly if neither NC nor BJP secures the required number of seats for govt formation.
The elections were the first in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the region’s bifurcation into two Union territories, including Ladakh. J&K now has a 95-member assembly — 90 elected and five nominated by the lieutenant governor.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s younger daughter Iltija Mufti accused BJP-led Centre for changing rules in J&K, alleging Saturday that these moves were meant to reduce the CM’s role to that of a “glorified mayor” and leave the govt powerless.
“With the LG nominating five MLAs and the chief secretary changing transaction of business rules, it’s clear that the incoming govt will be a toothless tiger… How much more will the Government of India strip J&K of any semblance of authority and autonomy? Rubber stamp CM…” Iltija wrote on X.
Iltija’s remarks followed Omar’s suggestion that BJP had “accepted defeat” in J&K. “Why else would the chief secretary be assigned the duty to change (assembly’s) transaction of business rules…?” Omar asked Friday.