Omar Abdullah's party joins alliance led by Congress

Srinagar : Chief Minister designate of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that peace, progress and employment would be the three top priorities of his government.

The president of the National Conference said his party was joining the ruling coalition at the centre as well.

Omar formally sent a communication to the Lok Sabha speaker, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha and to United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi yesterday of the decision of his party, the regional National Conference (NC), to be part of the UPA at the centre.

Asked about the composition of his council of ministers, Omar told reporters: "All modalities, including the sharing of portfolios, have been worked out [with coalition partner in the state government and the Congress]."

"It is for the Congress to communicate the names of the ministers who would be joining my council of ministers."

Asked about his statement that no tainted persons would be part of his council of ministers, Omar said, "As the head of the Congress-NC alliance I have communicated all my priorities to the Congress leadership."

Omar, 38, is to be sworn in along with two other leaders of his party and three others nominated by the Congress in Jammu on Monday.

The National Conference emerged the largest party in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections with 28 seats in the 87-member house. The Congress with 17 seats is supporting it in forming the government.