'Rahul a big voice for ... ': Farooq Abdullah on alliance with Congress for J&K polls

NEW DELHI: National Conference supremo Farooq Abdullah said on Wednesday that his party's alliance with the Congress is not out of compulsion but is necessary for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and the restoration of its statehood.
He emphasised this alliance as a strategic need of the hour during an upcoming election rally to be addressed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in south Kashmir.
The former chief minister also highlighted the importance of Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Union territory, calling it a bold rebuttal to those branding mainstream leaders of Jammu and Kashmir as Pakistanis or Khalistanis. Abdullah expressed his views as he left his residence for the rally.
"It is not a compulsion. It is the need of the hour. We want to take everyone along for the development of Jammu and Kashmir," Abdullah told reporters when asked if forming an alliance with the Congress was essential for his party.
"He (Rahul) is a big voice for our nation. It is a slap on the face of those who accused us of being Pakistanis or Khalistanis. I hope people of the country understand that we want the state (Jammu and Kashmir) to come out of this difficult period and develop. I have seen for the first time that a state has been downgraded to a union territory. This has to change and full statehood has to be restored ... that is what we are trying," he added.
Responding to another question, Abdullah noted that the National Conference did not experience the attrition of leaders as other parties did ahead of the assembly polls, as people believe his party is capable of making positive changes.
When asked about the statements made by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti against the National Conference, Abdullah declined to comment, simply saying, "she keeps on saying different things."