New Delhi: Accusing Farooq Abdullah of engineering instability in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress on October 18 expressed the hope that Governor's rule would be short-lived and a popular government installed at the earliest.

"Farooq Abdullah is displeased with people's rejection of the National Conference (NC). Apart from mere display of political wit, it is in fact a conspiracy to engineer an instability even before the hung Assembly could provide a popular government," party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters.

Reacting strongly to Abdullah's sudden decision, he said that it was important to note that he was the first outgoing Chief Minister in the democratic history of India who refused to serve as a caretaker Chief Minister in spite of the request by the state Governor.

"He has been Chief Minister for donkey's years, yet he has been a bad looser," Reddy said, adding, "Congress is confident that Governor's rule would not unduly upset its efforts to put a government in the state. It shall be our endeavour to form a popular government as quickly as possible."

PTI