 Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 19: Assertion of National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah that there is a threat to I.N.D.I.A bloc and some members may try to form a separate grouping is an indication that alliance partners are treading different paths.
Former J&K chief minister in an interview said, “If seat-sharing arrangement is not finalised then there is a threat to the alliance. It should be done in a time-bound manner. It is possible some may come together to form a separate alliance, which I feel is the biggest danger. There is still time.”
An analyst while talking to Early Times said, “Farooq has sounded an alarm. It seems he has assessed that the I.N.D.I.A bloc constituents are unable to form a consensus and sharing the seats looks a bit difficult.”
He said that I.N.D.I.A alliance till date has not appointed any leader as its coordinator who could talk to the regional and national opposition parties to devise a strategy for seat sharing in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Dr Farooq during the interview had said: “We discussed that one such person should be there who can bring everybody on board by sidelining our differences. If we have to save the country, we will have to forget differences and think about the country.”
An observer said, “Farooq Abdullah’s assertion that differences have to be hammered out over seat sharing is a signal to I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders that they cannot take things for granted. They will have to put in efforts If seat-sharing is not finalised then there is a threat to the alliance.
We will have to forget differences and think about the country.
Farooq’s assertion message to I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders that they cannot take things for granted.
No coordination among I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders.
He said, “Since the day I.N.D.I.A bloc has been formed it has remained in controversies. Leaders have been talking in different languages. There is no coordination and it’s clearly visible.”
Meanwhile, on Friday Dr Farooq Abdullah ruled out any delay in talks with the INDIA bloc over the seat sharing in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that talks have already begun in this direction.
His statement came a day after he flagged that there is a threat to the I.N.D.I.A bloc.
Talking to reporters today Dr Farooq said his party has no problem with the I.N.D.I.A alliance on the issue of seat sharing in Jammu and Kashmir, while asserting that interests of all have to be looked into.
”I don’t think there is any delay in seat sharing. They are already talking about it. It takes time. Everybody has their own interests, and those have to be looked into. I am sure it will be alright,” he said.
He went on to say that his party has never had any difficulties in sorting out such issues with the Congress in the past and will not face any problems even now.
Responding to questions about his party giving up some seats in the coalition, the NC president said, ”Why? This will depend on when we will talk to them (on this issue). We have never had difficulties with them in sorting that out. We are going to settle these things between us,” he added.
Dr Farooq reiterated that there was ”no problem at all on seat sharing”, adding, ”We have no problem.” | 