No chance of NC forming alliance with BJP, says Omar Abdullah

Jammu: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday ruled out any possibility about the National Conference forging any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Omar, while replying to a query about a BJP legislator R S Pathania dropping hints about possible NC, BJP alliance, said, “We are not talking about any alliance (with the BJP), neither is there any scope, nor the need. Our thoughts also do not align. If we talk about J&K, our thoughts are vastly different.”

He said, “All the issues, including statehood will be discussed in the House in the ongoing budget session.”

The budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly commenced on Monday with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring statehood.

LG Sinha arrived at the central hall of the Assembly at 9.58am, where he was received by speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with ministers and legislators from both the ruling and opposition benches, attended the session.

During the proceedings, Awami Itehad Party (AIP) MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmed staged a protest, holding placards demanding justice for Makhan Din of Billawar, who allegedly died by suicide after police torture. However, he was swiftly marshalled out of the hall, and his placards were confiscated within seconds.