Srinagar: Amidst predictions of a fractured mandate from Jammu and Kashmir Assembly poll, Congress on October 9 said all options were open for a tie-up with People's Democratic Party (PDP) for government-formation but ruled out any truck with National Conference for this.

Congress spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters in Delhi that the party would not be averse to forming a government with the help of independents and like-minded parties.

Asked if PDP was a like-minded party, he said, "all options are open with PDP" and pointed out Congress did not put up candidates against several PDP nominees including its leader Mehbooba Mufti.

Reddy made it clear that NC was not a like-minded party.

Queried with an apparent reference to proxy candidates of People's Conference, a constituent of Hurriyat Conference, if Congress would take the support of independent MLAs who broke from the separatist conglomerate, Reddy said all those who contested polls had sworn by the Constitution and "so why one should not have alliance with them?"

On the other hand, NC president Omar Abdullah said the party would not rush to government formation if it did not get simple majority on its own.

PTI