Srinagar, Mar 8 : The rift between the two constituents of opposition INDIA alliance in Jammu and Kashmir widened further after National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah lashed out at the Peoples Democratic Party saying the PDP that came third in the previous Lok Sabha poll in Anantnag has no right to ask for a seat.

The rift has become more visible as Omar said that PDP has targeted the BJP less and the NC more in the last two years.

“Had I known before joining the INDIA alliance that we would have to weaken party for the sake of some other member of the INDIA alliance, then perhaps I would never have joined the alliance,” the former JK Chief Minister told reporters in Srinagar.

“Our only aim to join the INDIA alliance was that our fight is with the BJP and the NDA, and if that is the case, then there is no basis of this internal tension or discussion,” he added.

The NC vice president said the PDP has no right to ask for the Lok Sabha seat in Anantnag- Rajouri since it came on number three in the previous polls.

“PDP came at third number in the last Parliament elections in south Kashmir Anantnag Lok Sabha seat and how is it justified that the number one or number two party will leave the claim on the seat and give it to the third number,” he said.

Omar disclosed that his party gave an option to the Congress to leave the Anantnag-Rajouri seat for them if the Congress party wanted to field either Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi from that seat.

“We would have left it for them. We would have had no objection,” he said.

The former CM said as far as the coalition is concerned it is the responsibility of every party to keep it running. He said the PDP has been attacking NC frequently in the past two years.

“The NC is attacked even when elections take place in Pakistan. They said on Twitter that what happened in the Pakistan elections, reminded the people of what happened here in the 1987 elections. What coalition dharma is this?,” he asked.

Omar said when DPAP Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad targeted NC President Farooq Abdullah, the PDP forced itself into that as well and attacked the NC.

“They along with Azad attacked Farooq Abdullah and the NC from their Twitter platform and you ask us where is the coalition dharma,” he said, adding that maintaining coalition dharma is not the responsibility of the NC only.

“It is the responsibility of those parties as well who have made it a habit to target the NC. Until they do not mend their ways, they cannot hope for much from us,” the NC Vice President said.

Omar said despite the PDP continuing to target his party, they have told the Congress that it is ready to keep doors open for an alliance for the assembly polls in J&K.

UNI