"We don't have mandate so we cannot decide on government formation," Farooq Abdullah said.
New Delhi:
Former Union minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah today denied saying that his party was willing to partner with the BJP -- a statement he was reported to have made amid uncertainty over government formation in the state.
"I have never said we are going to go with BJP... I have said BJP and PDP should form a government because they have a mandate. We don't have mandate so we cannot decide on government formation," he added.
On Saturday, Mr Abdullah told reporters in Jammu that if a proposal comes from the BJP, the "NC will call a Working Committee (meeting) and debate over it. If such a situation arises, NC can think over it as we have not closed the doors. Our doors are open".
In view of the silence from Mehbooba Mufti, chief of BJP's alliance partner People's Democratic Party regarding government formation, and the temporary Governor's Rule in the state, the reports raised speculation that the NC and the BJP were going in for a partnership.
The PDP and the BJP had run the government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for 10 months before his sudden death on January 7.
Ms Mufti, who was expected to succeed her father, postponed her oath-taking amid reports of her being upset with the BJP-led Central government over the disbursement of the economic package and flood relief for the state. The state thus passed under the Governor's Rule.
Officially, the party had said Ms Mufti was disinclined to take over as she was mourning her father, but no word was heard from the PDP camp even after the traditional mourning period came to an end on January 13.
Today, in the first indication of government formation, Ms Mufti is holding a meeting with her party.
"I have never said we are going to go with BJP... I have said BJP and PDP should form a government because they have a mandate. We don't have mandate so we cannot decide on government formation," he added.
On Saturday, Mr Abdullah told reporters in Jammu that if a proposal comes from the BJP, the "NC will call a Working Committee (meeting) and debate over it. If such a situation arises, NC can think over it as we have not closed the doors. Our doors are open".
In view of the silence from Mehbooba Mufti, chief of BJP's alliance partner People's Democratic Party regarding government formation, and the temporary Governor's Rule in the state, the reports raised speculation that the NC and the BJP were going in for a partnership.
The PDP and the BJP had run the government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for 10 months before his sudden death on January 7.
Ms Mufti, who was expected to succeed her father, postponed her oath-taking amid reports of her being upset with the BJP-led Central government over the disbursement of the economic package and flood relief for the state. The state thus passed under the Governor's Rule.
Officially, the party had said Ms Mufti was disinclined to take over as she was mourning her father, but no word was heard from the PDP camp even after the traditional mourning period came to an end on January 13.
Today, in the first indication of government formation, Ms Mufti is holding a meeting with her party.
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