NC-Cong Finalize Seat-Sharing Agreement for J&K: Exciting ‘Friendly Contest’ on Five Key Seats

Srinagar, Aug 26: After extensive discussions on Monday, senior leaders from the Congress and National Conference (NC) have finalized a seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, with a mutual agreement on a ‘friendly contest’ for five seats.

In a press conference, NC President Farooq Abdullah, along with Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Salman Khurshid, and JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra, announced the agreement covering 85 of the 90 seats. Under this arrangement, NC will contest 51 seats and Congress 32, while two seats will be allocated to the CPI(M) and Panthers Party. The parties will engage in ‘friendly’ competition in five constituencies: Banihal, Doda, Nagrota, Bhaderwah in Jammu, and Sopore in the Valley. Candidates will be fielded against each other in these areas, but Karra emphasized that these contests would remain amicable and disciplined.

Addressing the media, Omar Abdullah cited the coalition’s larger goals as the driving force behind their alliance. Despite initial hurdles in crafting the seat-sharing deal, both parties managed to overcome these challenges successfully. Omar also overturned his previous decision to abstain from assembly elections as long as J&K was a union territory, declaring his participation and promising to announce his chosen constituency shortly.

On Sunday, during an NC meeting in Nuner village, Ganderbal district, Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani revealed that Omar Abdullah would contest from Ganderbal.

This strategic alliance marks a significant step toward the upcoming elections, aiming to present a united front for their larger political objectives.

IANS.

Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/08/26/nc-cong-finalise-seat-sharing-agreement-in-jk-friendly-contest-on-five-seats/
Category : NATIONAL,News Alert
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