The alliance between the National Conference (NC) and the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir faces a critical juncture as a deadlock over the sharing of 10 key seats threatens to unravel their partnership. Both parties remain entrenched in their positions, refusing to compromise on constituencies crucial for their respective leaderships, putting the future of their alliance in serious doubt.
According to insiders within the NC, the party is adamant about securing five strategic seats in the Jammu region—Bhaderwah, Doda Old, Inderwal, Banihal, and Kishtwar. The Congress, however, has resisted these demands, particularly in Banihal, where tensions have escalated over former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Waqar Rasool’s candidacy. Rasool, a seasoned leader recently replaced by Tariq Ahmed Karra, is eyeing Banihal, but the NC insists that their senior leader, Sajjad Shaheen, is better positioned to win the seat. In a video circulated on social media, Shaheen even labeled Rasool as a “robber,” vowing to block his candidacy on an alliance ticket.
The Inderwal seat has also become a flashpoint. Historically held by Congress, it is now the focus of a tug-of-war between the two allies. Congress sources reveal that Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, who had left the party to join Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), is now back in touch with senior Congress leadership and aims to reclaim his seat in Inderwal. However, the NC is pushing for its candidate, Pyare Lal, arguing that he holds significant influence in the area.
Further complicating the negotiations, Congress is also vying for Doda Old, Bhaderwah, and Kishtwar, seats that the NC is equally reluctant to part with.
Along with this, the Congress is demanding five seats in the Kashmir Valley—Dooru, Shangus, Hazratbal, Uri, and Batmaloo—where they seek to position their top leaders. The Dooru seat is claimed for former minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir, while Batmaloo is reserved for its Party president Tariq Hameed Karra, and Uri for Taj Mohi-ud-Din, another former minister who recently returned from Azad’s DPAP. However, the NC has not yet agreed to these demands, exacerbating the deadlock.
Sources within the Congress suggest that the alliance is far from resolving, with senior leader Salman Khurshid now in Srinagar for high-stakes talks aimed at breaking the impasse. However, Khurshid’s task is daunting, as several senior Congress members are vocally opposed to conceding a larger share of seats to the NC. Local Congress leaders are also wary of the party’s image being tarnished, particularly given the NC’s manifesto, which they fear could alienate their voter base at the national level.
The next few hours are crucial. If the top leadership fails to find a solution, both parties may be forced to part ways, potentially reshaping the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. As the standoff drags on, the alliance’s future hangs in the balance, with both parties seemingly more focused on securing their strongholds than on forging a united front.