"Need to stay with other political parties to remain strong": Farooq Abdullah on INDIA bloc

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], February 27 : Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said that it imperative for the opposition to strengthen the INDIA bloc.
"People will join and leave BJP. This happens during elections. But this will not affect us. We need to fight the elections on our own. We fought alone earlier, we'll fight again... There is no doubt about our alliance with the Congress. It is very important to strengthen the INDIA alliance. We cannot be strengthened alone, we need to stay with other political parties to remain strong," said Farooq Abdullah.
He also said that this happens during the time of elections. But this should not affect us. We need to fight the elections on our own.
Earlier, National Conference leader and former Member of Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir, Sayed Mohammad Rafiq Shah joined the BJP.
Earlier this month, former Minister Mushtaq Bukhari joined the BJP at its headquarters in Jammu.
Incidentally, several prominent leaders of the National Conference, including Kathua district president Sanjeev Khajuria, had joined the BJP. Many supporters and district officeholders also made the switch from the National Conference to the BJP last month.
Earlier, Farooq Abdullah announced that his party will contest the upcoming parliamentary elections alone, a decision that is seen as another setback for the opposition INDIA bloc.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on seat sharing, the National Conference chief said, "As far as seat sharing is concerned, National Conference will contest alone and there's no doubt about it."