The National Conference and Congress announced an alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on August 26. This is the first election after the announcement of dividing Jammu and Kashmir and declaring it a Union Territory in 2019. The National Conference will contest 51 of the 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir, while the Congress party will field candidates on 32 seats. Both the parties have left one seat each for the CPM and the Panthers Party. The National Conference and the Congress have also announced that there will be a ‘friendly contest’ between the two parties on 5 seats in the Union Territory.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah said that both the parties have united to fight against the forces trying to divide Jammu and Kashmir. He said, ‘It is a matter of great happiness that we have started this campaign and both of us will fight against the forces that are trying to divide the people here. India Alliance was formed so that we can fight against the forces that want to divide and break the country. Today we have decided the seat sharing and this work was completed in a very cordial atmosphere. Congress and National Conference will contest the elections together.’
BJP trying to destroy Jammu and Kashmir: Congress
Meanwhile, Congress leader K.C. Venugopal has alleged that the BJP is trying to destroy the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. The Lok Sabha MP said, ‘The aim of the India Alliance is to save the soul of Jammu and Kashmir and this is why the Congress and the National Conference have come together to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir. We held talks in this regard and agreed on a formula. We will fight together and win.’
Elections for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases. Under this, voting will be held on 18 September, 25 September and 1 October. The results will be announced on 4 October.
