Gondia, July 12 -- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) working president Praful Patel on Sunday refuted claims made by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that the BJP attempted to lure one of the National Conference (NC) MLAs, saying that the ruling party in the Centre "operates with faith in the democratic process".

He also rejected Abdullah's allegations that the BJP was "breaking several political parties".

"BJP fully respected democratic traditions; the National Conference was the single largest party in Jammu and Kashmir, and they had the support of the Congress party. No obstacles were placed in the way of that alliance forming a government there, and this is considered a healthy democratic practice," Patel told reporters...