Farooq Abdullah Justifies Rebuilding Alliance with Congress in J&K Election

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah announced an alliance with the Congress to counter the BJP's divisive politics in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at a rally, Abdullah stressed unity for state development and restoration. He criticized outside governance and hailed Rahul Gandhi's support as significant for the region's progress.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said his party has entered into an alliance with the Congress for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls with the aim of counteracting the BJP's communal and divisive politics. Addressing an election rally in support of Congress candidate G A Mir from the Dooru seat in south Kashmir, Abdullah was joined on stage by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

'They (BJP) are dividing people in the name of religion. That's why we forged this alliance. We want a life full of dignity. So we all have to come together,' stated Abdullah. He urged National Conference voters to back Mir, the alliance candidate, to combat divisive forces and achieve collective dignity.

Earlier, while speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah emphasized that the Congress-NC alliance was not a compulsion but a necessity for Jammu and Kashmir's development and the restoration of statehood. He denounced the branding of mainstream J&K leaders as Pakistani or Khalistani sympathizers, considering Gandhi's visit a strong rebuttal to such accusations.

(With inputs from agencies.)