NC Dismisses “Baseless Rumors” of Post-Poll Alliance with BJP in J&K
Srinagar, Oct 4 The National Conference (NC) on Friday firmly denied allegations of engaging in talks with any party outside the INDIA bloc ahead of the declaration of Assembly election results in Jammu and Kashmir. This clarification followed social media speculation that suggested the NC was negotiating with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a potential post-poll alliance in the event of a fractured mandate.
Responding to these rumors, the NC issued a categorical statement, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated. “JKNC categorically denies the unfounded rumors of ‘back-channel’ talks with any party outside the INDIA Bloc. Those sensing their impending defeat have resorted to spreading such baseless accusations,” the party said in a strong-worded release. They urged the public not to be misled by such rumors and reaffirmed their commitment to the INDIA bloc.
The timing of the NC’s statement is significant, coming just days before the counting of votes on October 8 for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, which will decide the fate of 90 seats. The NC had entered a pre-poll alliance with Congress, and both parties have expressed confidence in their ability to form the next government. At the same time, the BJP has also been vocal about its chances of securing a majority and forming a government in the Union Territory.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Junaid Mattoo, former Mayor of Srinagar, had accused the NC of secretly engaging in talks with the BJP. In a post on social media platform X, Mattoo claimed, “The NC-BJP negotiations have clearly commenced. NC leadership is now speaking to authorized representatives from the BJP, and an unofficial mediator is ‘mediating.’ Initial groundwork includes the creation of a ‘larger interest’ fig-leaf to justify the betrayal in Kashmir.”
Mattoo went on to further allege, “Which BJP representative did Dr. Farooq Abdullah meet at Pahalgam not once but twice? What negotiations are being held in Pahalgam? What happened to all the rhetoric of BJP being forbidden and prohibited? The more that things change, the more they remain the same.” These claims have heightened political tensions as both parties brace for the outcome of the upcoming election.
The NC, however, maintains that their focus remains firmly on their alliance with Congress and their ambition to provide a stable government for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In their statement, the party reiterated their trust in the public’s judgment and warned against attempts to sway voter opinion through misinformation.
The electoral landscape in Jammu and Kashmir remains uncertain, with both the NC-Congress alliance and the BJP positioning themselves as frontrunners in a high-stakes battle for control of the region. Speculations surrounding potential post-poll alliances have only added to the political drama, but as of now, the NC remains committed to the INDIA bloc, refuting all suggestions of a possible alignment with the BJP.
