New Delhi: In the lead-up to the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress party said on Tuesday that it is open to forming alliances with any party that opposes the policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), media reports said.

The party accused the BJP of damaging the "communal fabric" of the Union Territory.

J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra stated, "The Congress's stance on pre-poll alliances is clear. We are willing to partner with anyone who opposes the BJP's policies and methods. Our doors are open to all who stand against their agenda."

Karra further criticized the BJP, claiming that the party has used religion to harm the region's communal harmony.

"J&K was once known as mini-India, both geographically and religiously. The BJP destroyed this fabric by spreading religious hatred," he said.

This statement follows remarks by National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, who mentioned that his party has not yet initiated any discussions with Congress, while noting that Congress cannot ignore the BJP's policies and methods.

Our doors are open for everyone who are against their (BJP's) agenda," J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra said. "If you want to harm the communal fabric, the best way possible to do it is the use of religion. J&K was known as mini-India, both geographically and religiously. This fabric was destroyed by the BJP by spreading religious hatred," he added.

This statement comes a day after National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah clarified that his party has not started any discussions with Congress, adding that the grand old party cannot "force us to talk to anyone else."

"Congress has not talked to us about PDP yet and we have talked at the highest level in Congress... Who am I to tell him that you should not talk to like-minded people?" he said.

"We are also talking to like-minded parties. But if you ask me who are those like-minded parties, I am not ready to take their names," he added.

Meanwhile, Karra also criticised the BJP for rise in terror attacks in the UT in recent times. "Only the goal posts changed...the militancy shifted from Kashmir to Jammu region. They (BJP) promised to wipe out militancy, what happened to their promise. Who is responsible for whatever is happening here?" he said.

The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to be held in three phases starting on September 18, with the vote counting set for October 4.