Congress says it is ready to align with PDP

NEW DELHI: With assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir throwing up a hung verdict, Congress today said it was "open" to aligning with PDP in the state to provide a government.

"We are always open. We have allied with PDP as well as with National Conference in past. One thing is clear that we will not go with BJP. As far as they (PDP and NC) are concerned, we have had alliances with them," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Azad, who campaigned extensively for the party in the elections, had earlier led a coalition government with PDP which had fallen apart on the Amarnath issue.

Azad's remarks came as trends clearly indicated that PDP is in a position to form the next government in the state with the support of either of the two national parties.

PDP, headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, and BJP were leading in 25 seats each. The ruling National Conference was ahead in 16 seats and the Congress in 14 out of the 87 seats in the state Assembly, according to the trends.