*“Baseless, irresponsible”: NC on reports of possible tie-up with BJP in J&K*

Srinagar, Feb 11 Reacting to reports that the National Conference is in touch with the Bharatiya Janata Party for a possible tie-up in Jammu and Kashmir, the party Tuesday termed it “baseless” and “irresponsible”.

Speaking to the media persons, NC spokesman and MLA Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq as per the news agency—said that the report in a local newspaper is totally baseless and irresponsible on their part.

“As far as Farooq Abdullah is concerned, he was in Bombay not in Delhi, as quoted by the newspaper. And the meeting of Omar Abdullah with Home Minister Amit Shah was also a routine affair. Omar Abdullah has met the Home Minister in the past as well. No special arrangement was made for this meeting,” he said.

Sadiq said that the National Conference fought the elections against the BJP and even today the party’s stand is clear against the policies of the saffron party. “The NC refutes such reports. And those media houses responsible for creating confusion will not be entertained by the party in the future,” he said.

He added that working relation has always remained there with the Centre and it will continue to exist. “Let me make it clear that the BJP and NC can never sit in one office. But based on this working relationship, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is meeting the PM, the Home Minister and other central leadership. This is only for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Notably, speculations have been rife that a significant political development is expected in Jammu and Kashmir as NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah has been in Delhi for the past four days.

A media report claimed the senior Abdullah also felicitated the meeting of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with Home Minister Amit Shah. The report also claimed that Farooq Abdullah has been engaging in discussions with the top BJP leadership and there is a strong possibility that the NC may move closer to the BJP in the “larger interest” of J&K—