On Monday, the Congress and its INDIA bloc ally, the National Conference, unveiled their seat-sharing arrangement for the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. According to J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra, the National Conference will contest 51 seats, Congress will field candidates in 32 constituencies, and they have agreed to a friendly yet disciplined contest on 5 seats. Additionally, the CPI (M) and Panthers Party will each be allocated 1 seat.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal emphasized the alliance’s goal to preserve the essence of Jammu and Kashmir. He stated, “The BJP is attempting to undermine the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. Our primary objective is to safeguard its spirit, which is why Congress and the National Conference are uniting to form a government that is fully in tune with the people of J&K.”
He further highlighted the collaborative spirit of the alliance, saying, “We have reached an agreement, and our leaders will now share the details. Together, we will contest, win, and establish a government in Jammu and Kashmir.”
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, noting, “It is heartening that we have initiated this campaign to jointly confront those forces aiming to divide our people.” Abdullah reiterated the alliance’s broader mission, stating, “The INDIA alliance was established to combat forces seeking to communalize, divide, and destabilize the country. We have completed our negotiations and coordinated in a very cordial manner. Congress and the National Conference will contest the elections together.”
Historically, the relationship between the NC and Congress has seen fluctuations since the 1940s and 50s. The two parties formed a coalition government from 2008 to 2014 under Omar Abdullah. In the 2008 assembly elections, the NC secured 28 seats while the Congress won 17. Although the alliance was dissolved prior to the 2014 assembly elections, Congress later supported the NC in the 2017 Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls, resulting in a victory for Farooq Abdullah.
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