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Cong to form next govt with NC or PDP: Azad

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/21/2013 11:26:05 PM

‘Allegations against Mir not proved yet, but it is a serious issue’

SRINAGAR, Sep 21: Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said allegations against Ghulam Hassan Mir that he received money from army to topple Omar Abdullah government in 2012 have not been proved yet and the real facts would come to light once the defence ministry completely examines the report and takes a follow up action.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of a function here he said, “We should not jump to conclusions till the defence ministry investigations proves or not proves the allegations. The issue needs to be given only as much of hype as it deserves.”
Azad, however, admitted that it is a serious issue since it pertains to defence and allegation about toppling of a government.
“Surely it is a serious issue. It is not about Omar Abdullah only. Omar Abdullah is heading a coalition government in the state of which Congress is also a major part. So the issue pertains to Congress as well. Any attempt to destablise a democratically elected government in any part of the country is wrong and unacceptable,” the union health minister said.
“It is a fact that army submitted its report to defence ministry, which is examining the report. We are hopeful that defence ministry takes necessary action in this regard,” Azad said.
The union health minister viewed that investigations may later prove the present controversy as infighting between the senior army officers.” Unfortunately for the last two years we have seen groupism in security forces and agencies including army. This was not happening in past. Earlier, we used to have groupism in political parties now it has spread to army, other security forces and agencies. This is not a healthy trend. The senior officers are engaged in infighting. There were reports of a possible army coup in India in recent past. This created panic not only in India but across world. But later it proved totally baseless. The report was the outcome of infighting between army officers,” Azad said.
The former chief minister said Congress has an option to form the next coalition government either with NC or PDP. “Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a change on political front since 2002 assembly polls. No single party gets absolute majority. Congress, NC and PDP go neck to neck. From 2002 to 2008 we had a coalition government with PDP and from 2008 with NC. Going by the available indications, no party can get absolute majority in next assembly polls. Congress will form the government either with NC or PDP,” he said.