Congress Leaders to Visit Jammu and Kashmir Ahead of Assembly Elections
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi are set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on August 21-22 to assess the party’s readiness for the upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory.
The revised schedule now has the leaders starting their visit in Srinagar on Wednesday evening and then heading to Jammu on Thursday. Initially, their plan was to visit Jammu first and then travel to Srinagar.
JKPCC spokesperson Ravinder Sharma confirmed the rescheduled visit, with the leaders arriving in Srinagar this evening.
During their visit, Kharge and Gandhi will also explore potential alliances with regional parties like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), both of which are part of the INDIA bloc but have historically been rivals in Jammu and Kashmir.
This visit comes after their meeting on Monday with general secretaries, in-charges, and screening committee members from states headed to the polls.
On August 21, the leaders will focus on assembly-poll related meetings in Srinagar before heading to Jammu to engage with workers and hold a convention there.
First Assembly Elections in a Decade
Jammu and Kashmir is gearing up to hold its first Assembly elections in ten years, marking a significant transition from over six years of Central rule. The last assembly election in the region took place in 2014.
Voting will occur over three phases, with the first round on September 18, followed by subsequent rounds on September 25 and October 1. Results are expected to be announced on October 4, with 24 seats up for grabs in the initial phase on September 18.
Congress and NC: A History of Alliances
While formal meetings with the NC or PDP leadership are yet to be confirmed, the Congress has a history of forming coalitions in the region. In 2008, the NC won 28 seats in the Assembly and partnered with the Congress, who secured 17 seats, to govern the 87-member House.
NC vice president Omar Abdullah expressed willingness to start negotiations with the Congress during his remarks in Srinagar on Monday. Congress general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal also emphasized the party’s openness to alliances in Jammu and Kashmir to defeat the BJP and establish a new government sans BJP influence.
