IANS

New Delhi, May 22: National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah left for South Africa to watch the IPL early Friday after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) failed to take a decision on a cabinet berth for him.

"I always told you people (the media) earlier that it is the prerogative of the prime minister and the chairperson of the UPA to decide," Abdullah told NDTV news channel when asked if he was unhappy that he was not offered a cabinet seat.

"The prime minister was very kind, he spoke to me last night and told me they wanted to sort out the difficulties with the DMK," Abdullah added.

"It doesn't mean the world has come to an end. There's always the future," he said on a philosophical note.

His son and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was not so sanguine, however.

He told a news channel Thursday night that his father, "who had been in politics long enough" had "certainly not expected this from the UPA".

"He is quite happy and is leaving for South Africa. This won't bother him."

Farooq Abdullah had said Thursday that his party was not interested in ministerial berths.

"We have given our unconditional support. The National Conference is an ally of the UPA and hopes to remain an ally of the UPA," he had said.

The National Conference has three Lok Sabha seats.