Growing Tensions Between Congress and National Conference Threaten Alliance in J&K Rajya Sabha Elections

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (File).

Tensions have escalated within the Congress-National Conference alliance in Jammu and Kashmir after Congress accused the NC of 'betrayal' and refused to attend a joint legislative party meeting called by NC leader Farooq Abdullah. This meeting was scheduled before the Assembly session commenced this morning and ahead of Friday's crucial voting for four Rajya Sabha seats.

Congress has been reluctant to commit to participation in the Rajya Sabha elections, having already declined the NC's offers regarding the Upper House race and a bye-election for Jammu's Nagrota Assembly seat.

The discord intensified when the National Conference announced three candidates for the Rajya Sabha election, allocating only one seat for Congress. However, Congress claims that the fourth seat is 'unsafe' - meaning victory cannot be guaranteed based on the alliance's numerical strength.

Due to this uncertainty, Congress opted not to field a candidate, with senior party leaders accusing the NC of breaking Farooq Abdullah's promise to Sonia Gandhi that Congress would receive a 'safe seat'.

This growing rift emerges at the beginning of a week-long Assembly session, creating challenges for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has appealed to both his coalition partner and his political rival, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's People's Democratic Party, to vote against the BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate.

In terms of numbers, Congress holds six MLAs while the National Conference commands 41. Six independent lawmakers have extended their support to Omar Abdullah's government. In opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party has 28 MLAs, while the PDP has three.

Barring unexpected developments, the NC is positioned to secure three seats, but the fourth seat - the one offered to Congress - remains contested, with the BJP expressing confidence about winning it.