After PDP hint, NC-Cong keeps doors open for like-minded parties

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah separately expressed confidence Sunday that their alliance would secure a comfortable majority when the assembly election results are declared Tuesday. Both also emphasised that the alliance’s doors remain open to like-minded parties and politicians to keep BJP out of office.

Their optimism follows exit polls suggesting an edge for NC-Congress alliance . Also, PDP candidate for Srinagar’s Lal Chowk constituency Zuhaib Yousuf Mir hinted Saturday that his party could join the coalition. “PDP will have an important role in forming any secular govt… We are ready to take any step to save the identity of Kashmir, but for this, it is important that we form a secular govt, a govt against BJP, not with them,” Mir said.

Abdullah welcomed Mir’s remarks, saying: “Congratulations to them, this is a great thing, we are all on the same track. We need to end the hatred and keep Jammu and Kashmir united.” However, the former CM refrained from commenting directly on the exit polls. “I do know this much that Congress-NC alliance would be forming govt with a majority.”

Karra, running from Srinagar’s Central Shalteng constituency, held a meeting with Congress candidates from Jammu region — considered a BJP stronghold. “The alliance will have a comfortable majority, and both partners shall have very good numbers,” he said, predicting that the final results would surpass the exit poll projections.

With PDP suggesting it may support NC-Congress alliance in forming a govt in the event of a hung assembly, Karra said any party sharing the common goal of keeping BJP out of office in the Union territory is welcome to join the coalition.

Karra was a founding member of PDP when ex-CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed established the party in 1999. He joined Congress in 2017 after leaving PDP, now led by Mehbooba Mufti. Karra gained prominence in 2014 by defeating NC chief Abdullah in the Srinagar Lok Sabha election.

These assembly elections are the first in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the region’s reorganisation into two Union territories, including Ladakh. J&K’s new assembly comprises 95 members — 90 elected and five nominated by the lieutenant governor.

Commenting on the prospect of the LG nominating five MLAs, Karra warned it would amount to “rigging the poll results and defeating the people’s mandate”. He said: “Congress will oppose it tooth and nail. Congress will not allow BJP to succeed in its designs.”