Srinagar, Oct 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on Saturday said it is evaluating all possibilities regarding contesting the upcoming bypolls for the two vacant Assembly constituencies, Budgam in the Kashmir Valley and Nagrota in the Jammu region, scheduled for November 11. The party’s final decision, senior leaders confirmed, will rest with the central high command in New Delhi.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Karra said consultations are ongoing within the party and with its alliance partner, the National Conference (NC). “They (NC) have said they would support our candidate from the Nagrota seat if we field one, but we have placed the matter before the central high command and are awaiting their decision,” Karra said. When asked if Congress was considering contesting both seats, he replied that “all options remain open.”
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier announced that the National Conference would contest the Budgam bypoll while extending support to a Congress candidate from Nagrota if fielded. The statement was seen as an indication of continued cooperation between the alliance partners, though recent political exchanges have hinted at underlying tensions over seat-sharing in the Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing queries on the alliance’s current state, Karra dismissed speculation of strain between the two parties. “Who said it is not fine?” he asked, clarifying that earlier remarks made by some Congress leaders were natural reactions to political developments. “There was some disappointment because the leadership at the highest level did not expect that there would be a change in the understanding over the Rajya Sabha seat. But such differences are part of political dynamics and do not mean the alliance is in trouble,” he said.
On the party’s broader political agenda, the JKPCC chief announced the resumption of the ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ campaign—an outreach program aimed at mobilizing public opinion for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. Karra said the program had been temporarily suspended following the Pahalgam terror attack, the border tensions, and subsequent cloudburst and flood-like conditions, but would now be revived and extended to all districts across the Union Territory. “We owe it to the people to take this movement to every corner of J&K, reinforcing our demand for full statehood and political empowerment,” he said.
The Congress leadership, sources suggest, is assessing the local dynamics and potential candidates before announcing its decision. The final call is expected soon after consultations between the AICC leadership and the JKPCC core committee. Analysts say the outcome will indicate the strategic direction of the NC-Congress alliance ahead of larger electoral battles in the region.
For now, the message from the Congress remains one of cautious preparation and political flexibility. “We are a disciplined party. The final word will come from our high command,” Karra reiterated, adding that the Congress remains committed to strengthening democratic representation and ensuring political balance in both regions of Jammu and Kashmir.