"INDIA bloc will always grow and it is for the future of country": Farooq Abdullah

"I am sure that the INDIA bloc will always grow. It is for the future of the country. It wants democracy and a secular India where we all can live in peace, harmony and progress. Indian Constitution was framed on these lines that we all are one," he said.

Further, responding to PM Modi's announcement to slash prices on LPG, Farooq Abdullah said "It is a very good thing. The poor will benefit but it remains to be seen how the prices will increase again after the government is formed after the elections."

Earlier, with a lack of consensus over the allotment of seats across states baring chinks in the Opposition armour, senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik on Friday asserted that all partners in the INDIA bloc were together and will fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 'together'.

"While we have already announced seat-sharing deals with our partners in some states, discussions on similar arrangements in other states are in their final stages. We will contest some seats in other states, setting aside the rest for our allies. However, we will contest the upcoming elections together," Wasnik told ANI on Friday.

Notably, earlier this week, Congress general secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the party has finalised seat-sharing deals with INDIA partners in all states barring West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir.

"Now out of 28 parties, 26 parties are with us and one or two more parties may join us in Maharashtra. We are strong and our seat-sharing formula in Jammu and Kashmir is being finalised. There has been some delay (referring to the seat sharing issue) in West Bengal but the Congress Party has finalised the seat sharing with all the other parties. Only two states left are West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

The Lok Sabha elections are likely to be held sometime between April and May this year. (ANI)