The Congress indicated to the National Conference (NC) leader, Farooq Abdullah, that his son Omar Abdullah is be a better choice for the post of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in case of any alliance between the two parties.

As per the sources, Congress party conveyed to Farooq that “it would be better to have a fresh face as Chief Minister of the troubled state”. The party met here, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi last night, and discussed the post-poll scenario in Kashmir.

Farooq kept changing stand on the NC’s Chief Ministerial candidate for the coalition with the Congress.

He changed his statements on the CM issue twice. Hhe first favoured Omar as CM candidate then he suggested his own name.

The National Conference, after winning 28 seats in the 87 member legislative Assembly, is seeking the support of the Congress to form a coalition government in the state, which requires the strength of minimum of 44 MLA’s. The Congress won 17 seats.

Conscious not to do anything to “complicate matters in Kashmir”, Sonia Gandhi told the party leaders that “care must be taken not to isolate the People's Democratic Party”. A senior leader of the Congress even called up Mehbooba Mufti and congratulated her on her party’s victory. However the party leaders, today, agreed to support the NC to form the Government. However, a formal decision will be taken during the Congress committee meeting tomorrow. Large members of the Congress consider that the party should be the part of the coalition government.

Deciding upon the issue the Congress leaders, in Delhi, are keeping in view the militancy in Kashmir as the fervor of ‘azadi’ is still alive

The Congress thinks that the 72-year-old Farooq Abdullah is a curse for the pro-militant sections of the Kashmiris, who held massive demonstrations across the Valley in July and August as a show of strength; where as these pro militants may not be averse to Omar.

Meanwhile, Farooq was under pressure from his party to become the Chief Minister as the party thought that Omar was still inexperienced and may not be able to handle the difficult situation prevailing in the Valley and, also, he may not be able to handle a crafty opposition, PDP and the BJP.

However, the decision went in favour of Omar as Sonia Gandhi is fond of him and at the same time is on guard of Farooq’s wavering nature.

She even complimented Omar on his memorable speech given in Parliament during the confidence vote for the Manmohan Singh’s Government on July 22.

Sources said that Farooq, once again, is likely to get elected to the Rajya Sabha and shall also hold the presidentship of the National Conference.