Will NC's Allies Shape Strategy Before J&K Assembly and RS Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NC is meeting with allies to discuss election strategies.
- Congress will announce its participation decision later today.
- Strained relations exist between NC and Congress over seat-sharing.
- BJP holds an advantage in Rajya Sabha elections with 28 votes.
- Election outcomes could shift the political dynamics in Jammu & Kashmir.
Srinagar, Oct 22 (NationPress) As the ruling National Conference (NC) prepares to hold a meeting with its allies on Wednesday, the agenda focuses on strategizing for the upcoming Legislative Assembly session and the Rajya Sabha polls. Meanwhile, Congress legislature party leader, G.A. Mir, indicated that a decision regarding their participation would be made later today.
Mir stated to IANS, “We have organized our legislature party meeting at the Congress headquarters in Srinagar at 5 p.m. today. We will discuss pertinent issues there and will relay any necessary conclusions to the NC.”
Despite the tense relations stemming from disputes over seat-sharing for the Rajya Sabha elections, the NC has invited Congress MLAs to join the meeting.
Following the NC's refusal to allocate a ‘safe’ seat to Congress from the four available Rajya Sabha seats, Congress decided not to nominate a candidate for any of the constituencies voting on October 24.
The NC has nominated Mohammad Ramzan Chowdhary, Sajad Kichloo, and Shami Oberoi for three of the safe seats, and has also put forward a candidate for the fourth seat.
The BJP, boasting 28 votes, currently holds an advantage over the NC and its allies in the contest for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat, with 28 votes compared to the NC's 24.
The BJP has selected its J&K President Sat Sharma to contest for the fourth Rajya Sabha seat.
CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami and five Independent MLAs supporting the government have also received invitations to the gathering.
In the recent 2024 Assembly elections, the NC secured 42 seats, the BJP 29, Congress 6, PDP 3, CPI(M) 1, Awami Ittehad Party 1, Peoples Conference 1, and Aam Aadmi Party 1 seat, with six Independents also victorious.
Subsequently, Congress, CPI(M), and five Independents chose to back the Omar Abdullah-led NC government.