NC and Congress Forge Alliance for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections

The National Conference (NC) and Congress have allied to contest the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. NC's Farooq Abdullah announced the collaboration in Srinagar. Both parties aim to restore statehood and democratic rights in the region, with seat-sharing details to be revealed shortly.

The National Conference (NC) and Congress have officially announced their alliance for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The announcement was made by NC patron Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar on Thursday.

The decision came after Farooq Abdullah and his son, Omar, met with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. 'The alliance has been finalized, and by this evening, the details of seat-sharing will be announced. The alliance is for 90 seats,' Farooq Abdullah stated.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is a top priority for both the Congress Party and the INDIA alliance. 'Our party pledges to restore statehood and ensure the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,' he said. Meanwhile, Kharge criticized the BJP-led central government for failing to fulfill its promises to the region, asserting that the voices of the people cannot be suppressed.

The Congress and NC previously allied for the Lok Sabha elections, with the NC winning two seats. Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The Election Commission has already issued notifications for the first phase of polling for 24 seats, marking the first assembly election in the region since the abrogation of Article 370.

(With inputs from agencies.)