Jammu & Kashmir: National Conference offers support to PDP

There may be a new twist in the tale in the Jammu and Kashmir government formation saga. Arch-rivals NC and PDP may tie up to form the government. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah after repeatedly stating that he is going to sit back and let other parties try to form the government, has changed his stance on Friday night. 

According to media reports,  NC formally sent a letter of support to the PDP leadership. NC has 15 MLAs and PDP has 28 which adds up to 43, one short of the magic number. Three other independent MLAs have also reportedly pledged support to this 'secular alliance' to keep BJP at bay. 

However, Omar Abdullah has refuted the report that a letter of support has been sent to PDP. He said on Twitter that only a verbal offer has been conveyed.

Looks like PDP is playing mind games with the BJP leaking about a letter of NC support that doesn't exist. Only a verbal offer conveyed.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 26, 2014

After the Assembly polls results were announced on December 23,  PDP emerged as the single largest party with 28 MLAs in the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. BJP has 25 MLAs and  NC has 15 MLAs.

Reports have been doing the rounds of all kinds of alliances between PDP-BJP, PDP-Congress, BJP-NC, and now the most surprising PDP-NC. But Omar Abdullah confirmed on Twitter on Thursday that there is no alliance between BJP and NC happening.

So many stories doing the rounds about a BJP NC deal. Let me say this as strongly as possible - THERE IS NO DEAL NOR ANY DISCUSSION going on

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) December 25, 2014

Arun Jaitley on Thursday said that BJP will hold 'veto power' to government formation in the state. But with NC now offering to support PDP, BJP may be well be left in the lurch. It will be interesting to see if the Congress also joins this possible PDP-NC alliance. The top leadership of both the parties has had a bitter relationship with each other in the past. It will be interesting to see if they can get past it to stitch together an alliance.