Srinagar, Oct 9: The National Conference (NC) is poised to hold a pivotal meeting of its Legislature Party tomorrow, aimed at deliberating the formation of the government in collaboration with its pre-poll alliance partner, the Indian National Congress (INC). This significant gathering will see the participation of all NC Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and independent legislators who are aligning with the party. Scheduled for the afternoon, the meeting will also elect the leader of the Legislature Party.
In addition to leadership elections, the agenda will include discussions on the government formation process in partnership with Congress, focusing on a Common Minimum Programme that outlines the coalition’s shared objectives. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of both parties to work together for the betterment of Jammu and Kashmir.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers will also arrive in Srinagar to oversee the Congress Legislature Party’s meeting, which will concurrently address the election of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader. The Congress party has secured six seats in the recent elections—five in Kashmir and one in Jammu—further solidifying its role in the coalition.
Once the leaders of both the NC and Congress Legislature Parties are elected, the alliance will collectively choose their joint leader, who is expected to assume the role of the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, addressed the media regarding the forthcoming government formation, emphasizing the importance of the Legislative Party meeting as the first step in this process. “Following this meeting, an Alliance meeting will be convened to determine the leadership structure. The chosen leader will then gather letters of support from our coalition partners and approach the Raj Bhawan to request the Lieutenant Governor to set a date for the swearing-in ceremony. We are eager to expedite this process, especially given that the region has been without an elected government since 2018. It is time to get back to work,” he stated.
Abdullah further noted the necessity of an Alliance meeting after the Congress party conducts its discussions. “Ultimately, we need to present our letters of support to the Lieutenant Governor. Once we have our leadership settled, the designated individual will go to the Raj Bhawan to meet with the LG and request a time for the swearing-in ceremony,” he added.
This upcoming meeting marks a crucial step towards reinstating an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the urgent need for governance and representation in the region.