Farooq Abdullah, National Conference (NC) president on Saturday asserted that his party would not forge a post-election alliance with the BJP for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NC president said that they cannot go with the BJP because the vote which they have got is the vote against the BJP. He stated that BJP put the Muslims in difficulties, bulldozed their shops, houses, mosques and schools.

Farooq Abdullah further said that the BJP did not give mandate to even a single Muslim in the Parliamentary election nor is there a single Muslim minister in the Union Cabinet. He added that he thinks that the people of the Union Territory will not vote for the BJP, adding that if BJP think they will form the government, then they live in cuckoo’s world. The NC had on Friday clarified that it was not in touch with any political party other than INDIA bloc constituents for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The party’s clarification followed amid speculation that it was engaged in backchannel deliberations with the BJP for government formation. When asked if Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, who is on bail, was a factor in the assembly polls, Farooq Abdullah said he does not see any factor. The former Union Minister said that whoever stands with the BJP will be finished. 

Speaking about the chief minister candidate, the NC president said it will be decided after the results are announced. He stated that even if a political party has a full majority, they cannot say who is going to be what, what is going to happen. He added that they will wait till all the boxes are open and votes are counted. On the Haryana Assembly elections, Abdullah said the Congress will win with a majority there, adding that he has seen what people have suffered.

Accusing it of attempting to push the youth towards drugs and use that money to contest and win elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit out at Congress, highlighting alleged links to a significant drug syndicate involving the former chairman of the RTI Cell of Delhi Pradesh Congress.

Addressing a rally in Maharashtra’s Washim district, PM Modi said, “Drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees were seized in Delhi recently. A Congress leader is suspected to be the kingpin. Congress wants to contest elections from the money it gets by pushing the youth towards drugs.”

During his visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Washim. The museum showcases the traditions, art, and heritage of the Banjaras, preserving their unique culture for future generations.

After inaugurating it, PM Modi said the Banjara community has played a significant role in enriching India’s cultural heritage. In every sector, be it art, tradition, spirituality, trade and commerce, he added that people from the Banjara community have made immense contributions.  

Continuing his attack on the grand old party, the Prime Minister said the Congress is being ruled by a gang of urban Naxals, and asked people to unite to defeat the “dangerous agenda” of that party.

“Congress thinks that if we all unite, then their agenda to divide the country will fail,” Modi said after launching various projects here.

“Everyone can see how closely Congress stands with people who don’t harbour good intentions for India,” Modi said.

Modi said that Congress’ thinking has been foreign from the very beginning. “Like the British rule, this Congress family also does not consider Dalits, backward and tribals as their equals.”

They feel that India should be ruled by only one family. That is why they have always maintained a derogatory attitude towards the Banjara community,” he said.

The Army on Saturday morning said that two terrorists had been eliminated by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara under Operation GUGALDHAR.

Issuing a statement, the army said that two terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces in the ongoing Operation GUGALDHAR. It added that a war-like stores have been recovered, and a search of the area is underway. It further stated that the operation is in progress.

The army also said the troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged the terrorists, leading to an exchange of fire. Sources stated that during the operation, the joint team observed some movement in the area and challenged the militants, who opened indiscriminate fire.

Taking to X, the Army’s Valley based Chinar Corps stated that on October 4, 2024, based on intelligence about an infiltration attempt, a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched at Gugaldhar, Kupwara. It added that alert troops spotted suspicious activity and challenged, leading to an exchange of firing with terrorists. It further mentioned that vigilant troops carried out effective fire, and that the operation is in progress.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said that security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district. The operation is still underway and is being led by a joint team of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the army.

Two army personnel on Friday were injured in a landmine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara. The officials stated that in the wee hours, during patrolling at Googaldara near LoC in Trehgam area of north Kashmir district, two army personnel got injured in a landmine blast. The two personnel were admitted to the army hospital at Drugmulla, and their condition was stable.