Jammu, Mar 22 (IANS): National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that the NC and the Congress have joined hands to save the nation from those who are trying to divide it on the basis of religion.

Abdullah was speaking at a joint election rally of the NC and the Congress for the Lok Sabha election in Jammu.

The NC has not fielded any candidate from Jammu parliamentary constituency in order to support the Congress.

Former state minister Raman Bhalla is the Congress candidate from the seat.

Vikramaditya Singh, son of Karan Singh and grandson of the state's erstwhile Maharaja, Hari Singh, is the Congress candidate for the Udhampur seat.

Speaking about his decision not to field candidates against the Congress in the Jammu and Udhampur constituencies, Abdullah said: "We have given this sacrifice to keep India secular and strong. There is no other aim."

"We have to live in this country and strengthen it and its secular ethos which was preached by Mahatma Gandhi", he said.

The NC and the Congress have decided to engage in a friendly contest in three out of the six Lok Sabha constituencies, Anantnag, Baramulla and Ladakh.

The Congress will not field any candidate against Abdullah in Srinagar while the NC will not field any candidate against the Congress for the Jammu and Udhampur seats.