In a significant development ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, the Congress and the National Conference (NC) have announced a pre-poll alliance, aiming to contest all 90 seats in the assembly. The decision was made public following a crucial meeting between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and NC president Farooq Abdullah.
The alliance was confirmed by Farooq Abdullah after a meeting held at the residence of the Abdullahs in Srinagar. Abdullah described the meeting as ?cordial? and assured that the alliance was set to proceed smoothly. ?It is final, it will be approved by this evening. This alliance is for all 90 seats,? Abdullah stated.
Addressing the possibility of a coalition with the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullah emphasized the current partnership with Congress and expressed hope that the coalition, including CPM?s M.Y. Tarigami, would garner sufficient support. ?Congress and we (NC) are together. I hope our people are with us so that we can win and do better for the people,? he added.
Prior to the meeting, Rahul Gandhi had reiterated the Congress party?s commitment to the alliance while respecting the party?s internal dynamics. ?There will be an alliance for the assembly elections, but it will be done while maintaining the respect of the workers of the Congress party,? Gandhi told reporters.
In a statement following the meeting, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the Congress party's priority to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He remarked, ?It is our priority in the Congress Party and also in the INDIA alliance to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible. We had expected that this would be done prior to the elections, but elections have been declared. We are hoping that statehood would be restored as soon as possible and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored.?
Gandhi also addressed the challenging period faced by the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, pledging Congress?s support. ?My message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is that however we can help you, the Congress Party is always there. We understand that you're going through a very difficult period, and we want to remove violence,? he said.
The Congress and NC had previously collaborated during the Lok Sabha elections as part of the INDIA Bloc. In those elections, Congress lost both seats in Jammu, while the NC secured one of the three seats contested in the Kashmir valley.
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections are scheduled to take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting set for October 4. The formation of this pre-poll alliance aims to consolidate opposition efforts and present a unified front in the upcoming elections.
