Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig on Tuesday said if a third front was formed in Jammu and Kashmir he was ready to join it.
Baig said the formation of a third front should be encouraged "because people are looking for something new".
He also showered praise on Peoples Conference leader Sajjad Lone whose party recently made gains in the civic polls in Handwara and some areas Srinagar.
Peoples Conference candidate Junait Matto was elected Mayor of Srinagar city with the support of many independents.
Baig said Lone was like a son to him.
"PC (Peoples Conference) has been like a home to me. For me Sajjad Lone has been like a son,'' he said.
''If he (Lone) is interested that a third force should emerge, that should be considered and encouraged because people are looking for something new," Baig said.
In a tweet, Lone said he was humbled by Baig's statement. ''A person of his stature, experience, and intellect can be a defining attribute of the emerging third party,'' he said. ''I remember him as my favourite during my childhood. I was his pampered brat.''
Baig, who is the co-founder of the PDP, criticised his party and the National Conference for staying away from the local body elections. He said the PDP has failed to live up to its promise.
Baig said the PDP unwittingly fell into a trap by boycotting the polls. “I will see how the party reacts to my statement. I am hurt and disillusioned by the way the matters were handled by the PDP,” he said
