KL Report
SRINAGAR
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday hinted that the alliance between their parties will continue beyond the 2014 general elections.
“I am a supporter of Omar. I am a friend of Omar’s. Absolutely, we have a government here together,” Rahul told reporters, on the sidelines of a function in Budgam.
The Congress vice president said he will canvass for Omar in the coming elections. The Congress leader was replying to a question on whether he would campaign for Omar for next year’s polls.
Responding to the same question, Omar said he saw no reason for his party to snap ties with UPA. “We are committed partners of UPA and we have had a very good relationship with UPA. We see no reason why that should change. It is as simple as that,” Omar said.
Omar, however, said a final decision on the issue will be taken by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah in consultation with coalition partners. “It (alliance) is not for me to decide. I am not the president of National Conference nor am I the president of Congress party. This decision is left to the President of National Conference. But this obviously is not a decision that he will take on his own. It is a decision which we will take in consultation with the allies,” he said.
This assumes significance as it is believed that the NC-Congress coalition will continue after 2014 and which may give a tough time to the opposition to find ways and means to motivate their ‘natural ally’.
However, the important thing to be seen is whether Omar and Rahul will opt for a pre-poll alliance or post-poll alliance.
