Omar Abdullah Reveals Details of NC-Congress Discussions, Hopes for Consensus on Seat Allocation in J&K and Ladakh
Srinagar, 27-02-2024 : The National Conference (NC) and Congress are gearing up for a second round of discussions on seat-sharing in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh Union territories ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, revealed Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the NC, on Tuesday. This decision comes after the two parties failed to reach a consensus during their initial talks held last week.
Omar Abdullah stated that the first round of discussions took place in New Delhi, during which Congress presented certain proposals that necessitated internal deliberations within the NC. However, some of these proposals did not find favor with the senior leadership of the NC, prompting the need for further dialogue. Omar Abdullah expressed optimism about reaching a resolution in the upcoming round of talks.
Highlighting the significance of the discussions, Omar Abdullah emphasized that there are only six seats at stake in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh combined, of which NC currently holds three. The seats won by NC in the 2019 general elections include Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag, while the BJP secured victories in Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh constituencies.
The focus of the ongoing negotiations primarily revolves around the allocation of three seats – Jammu, Udhampur, and Ladakh. Omar Abdullah conveyed confidence in the parties’ ability to finalize the seat-sharing arrangement in the forthcoming discussions, underscoring his imminent visit to Delhi to engage in further deliberations.
Regarding the broader political landscape, Omar Abdullah clarified that the objective of the coalition, INDIA bloc, is to diminish the BJP’s electoral strength without compromising the seats held by the alliance members. He reiterated that NC is solely engaged in discussions concerning the three seats it currently occupies and not seeking reevaluation of its existing constituencies.
Addressing concerns about the prolonged delay in conducting assembly elections in the Union Territory, Omar Abdullah expressed hope that the upcoming visit of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to Jammu and Kashmir in March will yield positive outcomes. He lamented the protracted absence of assembly elections since 2014, underscoring the urgency for electoral processes to be initiated through institutional channels rather than judicial intervention.
Omar Abdullah’s remarks underscore the intricate negotiations and political dynamics shaping the alliance’s strategy in the region, as stakeholders navigate the complexities of electoral politics amidst evolving socio-political landscapes.
