Kolkata: The CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) on October 10 said that the National Conference (NC) has paid the price for its 'opportunistic' policy of aligning with BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), which rejected Article 370 and autonomy for the Jammu and Kashmir.

Emerging from a politburo meeting which discussed the outcome of the J&K poll during the day, CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechuri told reporters in Kolkata that the 'betrayal' by the NC of its secular traditions by joining hands with the 'communal' BJP has not been forgiven by the people in the Valley.

The 'misrule' of the Farooq Abdullah government also contributed to the party's defeat in the election, which was the most 'comprehensive democratic' poll in recent years, he said.

Terming the J&K poll results as a 'major setback' for the BJP as well, Yechuri said that it was a clear indication that the party had neglected the issue of the people and instead tried to play the 'communal card'.

He said that the BJP had adopted a one-sided approach of combating cross-border terrorism, which alone could not lead to any solution to the Kashmir problem.

"Now the government must learn the lesson and start the political process of giving autonomy to the state under the structure of Article 370 of the Constitution," the CPM leader said.

On possible government formation in the state, Yechuri said that Congress and PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) were likely to do so. The CPM, which won two seats would give issue-based support.

PTI