Srinagar: The ruling National Conference (NC) is not averse to offering a seat to its alliance partner, the Congress, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 24, sources disclosed.
Reliable sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that NC has not expressed any reluctance to offer a seat to Congress in the Rajya Sabha polls during preliminary discussions on the matter. “Initial talks have been held between the leadership of both parties at the highest level,” they said, adding that the Congress leadership in New Delhi would consult Rahul Gandhi before taking a final decision.
The Congress party, which has six MLAs in the J&K Assembly, is supporting Omar Abdullah-led government but had declined to join the council of ministers last year,stating that it would not do so until the restoration of statehood.
It is worthwhile to mention that Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra had told reporters here a few days ago that the decision on the party’s strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls would be taken by the party high command.
In the Rajya Sabha elections, the NC-led alliance is expected to comfortably secure three seats, while the BJP is in a strong position to win the fourth.
As already reported by KNO, National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Sajad Kichloo are frontrunners for the party’s ticket.
The Congress could field working president Raman Bhalla or senior leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir. In the BJP, state spokesperson Sunil Sethi, former president Ravinder Raina, and former deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh are contenders for the ‘competitive’ seat.
The BJP is also expected to field two candidates for the first two seats as a symbolic challenge to the NC-led alliance candidates, who are poised to win them—(KNO)
