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Srinagar, Aug 22 In a significant political development, the National Conference (NC) and Congress have formed a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.
NC President Farooq Abdullah made the announcement on Thursday, following a meeting with Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at his residence in Srinagar.
“The pre-poll alliance between the NC and Congress has been sealed for all 90 seats,” Farooq told reporters here. “The alliance is on track and will proceed smoothly with God’s grace,” he said.
As constituents of the Opposition INDIA bloc, NC and Congress previously contested the Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir together. While Congress lost both seats in Jammu division, NC won two out of three seats in Kashmir.
When asked about Rahul Gandhi’s earlier statement that all INDI alliance partners would work together in Jammu and Kashmir, the NC president replied, “Congress and NC are united, and CPI(M) is also with us. We hope the people will support us, and we will win the election with a big majority to serve them.”
Farooq highlighted the challenges faced by the people during the past 10 years without an elected government, expressing hope that statehood would be restored with full strength.
He emphasized the importance of statehood, saying, “We promise to restore it. Almighty willing, Jammu and Kashmir will be granted statehood with full powers, and we stand by the INDI alliance to achieve this.”
The assembly election will be held in Jammu and Kashmir in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1.
FILE PHOTO
