Before PDP, NC was keen to align with BJP in 2014, claims Junaid Azim Mattu

Srinagar, Feb 8, KNT: Former Srinagar Mayor and Apni Party leader Junaid Azim Mattu today claimed that the National Conference was keen to forge an alliance with BJP after Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.

He said before PDP, it was NC that wanted to align with the BJP in 2014.

Interestingly, Junaid Azim Mattu as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust was the spokesperson of the National Conference and close confidant of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“Farooq Sahab, who was in London, wanted an alliance with BJP at any cost. Omar Abdullah also parleyed personally for an alliance – asked to be CM.”

Mattu revealed that BJP instead offered DyCM post to NC – for which Sagar (Ali Muhammad Sagar) was ready.

“As then NC Spokesperson, I personally remember the joyous and celebratory anticipation of Sagars at the whiff of AMS being DyCM in an NC-BJP alliance in J&K.”

“There was another DyCM aspirant from NC in Jammu but both CM and DyCM from Jammu wasn’t thought feasible.”

Mattu disclosed that this as expected made the Abdullahs anxious. Like Late Mohiuddin Shah — AMS was seen by the family as a potential usurper.

He said Omar Abdullah personally met the BJP in Delhi, on way to London. Asked to be CM. “BJP again offered DyCM post and rotational CM to NC. Omar Abdullah – months later – expressed internally that he would have gone with the BJP if he had more number in the assembly. Farooq Sb repeatedly regretted not beating PDP to a BJP Alliance and said he would have — if he weren’t unwell in London.”

He claimed that this “B Team”, “C Team” nonsense that NC talking heads keep regurgitating is ironic.

“Poor kids don’t know how hard NC tried to align with the BJP and get the CM post in a possible NC-BJP alliance,” he said and added that he is ready to share details if the National Conference wants to contest his revelations. [KNT]

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