Omar hints at possibility of NC backing PDP

Srinagar: The outgoing Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday hinted at an intriguing possibility of supporting his party National Conference's (NC) bitter political rival PDP in forming a government in the state after the hung verdict in the Assembly polls.

Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's PDP has emerged as the single largest party with 28 seats, 16 short of a majority in the 87-member legislature. BJP got 25 seats and NC 17, including two Independents supported by it, followed by the Congress with 12 seats.

PDP's options are either to align with BJP or cobble together a government with the support of Congress and some independents. Support from NC has never been considered as an option by political observers.

Introducing a new element in the scenario, Omar told PTI that it was for PDP to approach him. "I don't rule out or rule in anything thereafter," he said.

Reminded that NC's support to PDP has never been envisaged, Omar said, "was Mr Nitish Kumar's coming together with Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar ever thought of?"

He virtually ruled out any support to the BJP, saying that there was only one per cent likelihood of that. "I am leaving one per cent crack open.