Congress and National Conference on Thursday announced their decision to form a pre-poll alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. The announcement followed after senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met with National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah in Srinagar.
Dr. Abdullah confirmed that the alliance, which also includes CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, has finalized its seat-sharing arrangement for all 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. He emphasized the need to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a priority for the coalition.
“The alliance is on track and will work successfully. The people of J&K have suffered immensely without an elected government for years. We are committed to restoring statehood with all powers,” Dr. Abdullah said after the meeting.
Rahul Gandhi, speaking to party workers in Srinagar, reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, in giving the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh their democratic rights back.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed confidence in the alliance’s prospects, expecting the Congress to secure 40 to 45 seats in the elections. He assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the Congress would work to protect their land, forests, and other rights.
The Assembly election will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, marking a crucial moment in the region’s political landscape.
