Srinagar: In another blow to the INDIA bloc, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday announced that his party will go solo in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In a snub to Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party has already announced to fight solo in Punjab. The INDIA bloc is already in a shamble with the Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) walking out of the alliance. However, Congress asserted that the NC is part of I.N.D.I.A bloc. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "Talks are going on. Every party has their own limitations. National Conference and PDP have been a part of the I.N.D.I.A bloc, and will continue to remain so."
Abdullah said, "I think that elections in both states will be held with the Parliamentary elections. As far as seat sharing is concerned, the NC will contest alone and there's no doubt about it.
Omar issues clarification
Hours after Farooq Abdullah's 'no-alliance' comment, son and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said that his father was misquoted.
"National Conference was a member of INDIA alliance and we continue to be a member of INDIA alliance. On the seat sharing, we have been very clear for the last few months...the seats that will be discussed are those that are held with BJP, we are firm on that position. What Party chief Farooq Abdullah said was a reflection of what the party cadre feels. NC has made no secrets about the fact that they would rather fight elections on all seats, but the truth is that sometimes for a bigger objective, small sacrifices have to be made," Omar said.
"If the bigger objective is to win seats back from the BJP...then if it is necessary for NC to enter into seat sharing with Congress, our doors are open. We have not yet had any formal discussion with Congress (on seat sharing), informally some dialogues have taken place...we are not the sort of a party that has our feet in multiple boats, once we make friends, we stick to those friends," he added.
," Omar issues clarification.
On Farmers protest
"We raised voice. Almost 750 gave their lives, bills were taken back. Elections are coming, farmers are back again. We don’t know what Centre is thinking, hope they think about it."
On Electoral bonds
"We hope parties agree to this and come out with the details. People should know where the money power is coming from. Hope it’s all declared before elections."
On Pakistan
"Stable Pakistan is important for the whole of India."
On ED summons
"I will go and attend the summon issued by the ED. They can’t finish NC." Abdullah was recently summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with alleged financial irregularities at the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The case involves the alleged siphoning off of funds through transfers to personal bank accounts of unrelated parties and unexplained cash withdrawals from the association's accounts.
In a veiled attack on the Congress, DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad said if the BJP achieves its target of more than 400 seats in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the party which failed to lead the opposition INDIA block would be responsible for it.
