National Conference leader and former J-K chief minister Farooq Abdullah, whose party is ruling the state along with the Congress, on Friday flew to South Africa to watch the IPL matches, skipping the swearing-in at Durbar Hall.

His sudden move was prompted by the Congress’s decision not to include him in the Cabinet on Friday. However, Congress sources said Farooq’s inclusion in the Cabinet was a certainty at a later stage.

Before leaving for South Africa, Farooq said Manmohan Singh had called him on Thursday night and explained why he was wasn’t being included in the Cabinet now. “The Prime Minister was very kind. He spoke to me last night and told me about the difficulties with the DMK. It is his prerogative whom he wants in the Cabinet,” he told reporters.

His son and J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said his father had not been invited to the swearing-in ceremony. However, both father and son clarified that the non-inclusion of the senior Abdullah in the Cabinet on Friday wouldn’t sour relations between the NC and the Congress.