Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Criticizes Congress-NC Alliance for J-K Polls

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel criticized the Congress for its alliance with the National Conference (NC) for upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Patel argued that the alliance reveals Congress's intentions to leverage power at the expense of national unity. The J-K polls will be held in three phases in September and October 2023.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday criticized the Congress over its alliance with the National Conference (NC) for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, accusing the party of revealing its 'real face.'

The elections for the 90-member J-K assembly are scheduled in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with results to be declared on October 4. NC chief Farooq Abdullah announced a pre-poll alliance with Congress, marking the first elections since Article 370's abrogation in August 2019.

'The Congress, out of power for a decade, has again shown its disregard for national unity by aligning with the Abdullah family's NC,' Patel said in a video. He questioned if the Congress supports NC's manifesto promises, including the restoration of Article 370 and a separate flag for J-K.

'The real face of Congress, which supports the NC's divisive policies, is revealed. This alliance is solely for gaining power,' Patel added. The previous J-K assembly elections were held in November 2014, and the BJP-led Centre abrogated Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5, 2019, reorganizing it into two Union territories: Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies.)