NC May Be Reconsidering Ties with INDIA Bloc: Karra Says Trust Has Been Broken
SRINAGAR, Oct 13 : The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Tariq Hameed Karra, on Sunday hinted that the National Conference (NC) might be reassessing its relationship with the INDIA bloc following its refusal to offer Congress a “safe seat” in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Karra, while addressing the media in Srinagar, said that the NC’s recent actions reflect an apparent shift in its political stance and have shaken the trust between the two parties.
“The backtracking by the National Conference suggests that the party is internally debating whether to remain within the INDIA bloc or chart its own course. Their conduct indicates that they may already be reconsidering their position in the alliance,” Karra said. He expressed disappointment that despite assurances from the NC leadership during discussions in Delhi, the Congress was not given a seat that was electorally secure.
“Congress was led to believe that we would be given one of the safer seats, particularly among the first two. However, the NC offered us the fourth seat, which was clearly not winnable. When they remained rigid on their stance, our Core Committee decided that it would be better not to contest rather than participate in an election predetermined for defeat,” Karra explained.
He added that Congress leaders in Jammu and Kashmir had placed faith in the commitments made at the highest levels of both parties, particularly by Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, and expected those assurances to be upheld. “We will convey the sentiments and conclusions of our Core Committee meeting to the central leadership, which will decide the party’s next course of action,” he said, noting that while he would not term the development an outright betrayal, it had certainly “dented the trust” between the allies.
Karra also revealed that the last communication between the two parties was through Member of Parliament Syed Naseer Hussain, who had reached out to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. “Following that, a joint letter from our J&K leadership was sent to the NC. The reply we received redirected us to Dr. Farooq Abdullah and made it clear that discussions were limited only to the fourth seat,” he added.
When asked about the future of the alliance, Karra stated that the Congress did not need to seek support from any other political group, as the party had its own national and regional strength. “Congress carries political weight with over 700 MLAs and 100 MPs across the country. Our contribution to the nation’s democratic and political evolution cannot be measured by numbers alone in J&K,” he said, asserting that the party’s integrity and historical role would continue to guide its actions.
Karra further informed that discussions on the upcoming Budgam and Nagrota by-elections would take place soon after consultations with the central leadership in Delhi to decide the strategy and way forward.
Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir reiterated that the Congress high command had been assured of a “safe seat” in Jammu and Kashmir during earlier talks. “The understanding at the central level was clear. What has happened now is not consistent with those assurances,” Mir said, emphasizing that the issue has raised important questions about alliance coordination and mutual respect within the INDIA bloc.
The rift between the two long-time allies comes at a critical time, with Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for October 24, and could have broader implications for opposition unity in Jammu and Kashmir.
