Jammu, Nov 30: After months of intensive negotiations at the highest levels, the Congress Party is on the brink of joining the National Conference (NC)-led government in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources have confirmed that an agreement is in the final stages, with the Congress set to secure two ministerial positions in Omar Abdullah’s cabinet, while the NC is expected to add one more minister to the team.
Currently, the newly formed Jammu and Kashmir government comprises six ministers, including the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. However, in accordance with constitutional provisions, the cabinet must include 10% of the total strength of the assembly, which means that the cabinet must consist of nine ministers for the 90-member assembly. This necessitates an expansion of the cabinet, which is expected to include representatives from Congress.
Reliable sources suggest that former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra and senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir are the frontrunners for the ministerial positions. Both leaders are seen as key players in the party’s efforts to strengthen its influence in the region’s governance.
The National Conference (NC) and Congress, had contested the recent assembly elections together, While Congress had initially opted not to join the administration, high-level deliberations have led to a change in stance. The discussions between the two parties have now reached a conclusion, and Congress is expected to formally announce its participation in the government shortly.
A senior Congress leader remarked, “The talks have been productive, and we are in the final stages. The formal announcement will be made soon, strengthening the NC-Congress alliance and ensuring better governance in Jammu and Kashmir.”
With this new development, the NC-Congress coalition is poised to present a unified front as they move forward with their agenda for the Union Territory, marking a significant shift in the political dynamics of J&K.