Jammu, March 01: With Delhi as their base of operations, the Congress party’s top leaders are engaged in intensive discussions with key figures from Jammu and Kashmir, including National Conference Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and People’s Democratic Party Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, in a bid to finalize a crucial alliance.
Led by senior leaders such as Vikar Rasool Wani, who serves as the party’s chief, the Congress delegation has been stationed in the National Capital for several days, actively engaging in talks. There is a palpable sense of optimism within the Congress camp, with hopes running high that the alliance could be solidified within the next few days.
Speaking on the matter, Vikar Rasool Wani emphasized the imminent announcement of the alliance structure in Jammu and Kashmir. “You will hear from us very soon that the alliance has been finalized. Together, we will stand united against the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. Our primary goal is to ensure the success of the INDIA alliance on all five seats. We are committed to supporting our alliance partners, as we pursue our shared objectives,” he asserted.
Sources within the Congress have revealed that numerous calls have been made to Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti to expedite the alliance discussions. However, negotiations are ongoing, with some valley-based parties expressing reservations about joining forces for the Lok Sabha polls, viewing it as a potential threat to their prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled before September, following the Supreme Court’s directive.
Previously, the Congress presented a fresh alliance proposal for Jammu and Kashmir, proposing a seat-sharing arrangement among the National Conference, the People’s Democratic Party, and itself. Under this proposal, the National Conference would contest three seats, the People’s Democratic Party one, and the Congress two. While the formula has garnered support from the party’s high command and local leadership, the final decision remains with the central leadership. The focus remains on maximizing electoral benefits through a collaborative approach, with careful consideration given to all five Lok Sabha seats in the state.