Jammu: Elections for the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a Union Territory, are being held in the same manner as the Lok Sabha elections. To explore the possibility of an alliance between the National Conference and the Congress, a series of meetings have begun.
On Monday night, talks began at a hotel in Srinagar, with five leaders from each party present. If everything goes smoothly, the alliance may be announced within the next four to five days.
According to sources, the talks were initiated on the instructions of the top leadership of both parties. The Congress has nominated State President Tarik Hameed Karra, Working President Tara Chand, and Raman Bhalla, as well as former President GA Mir and Vikar Rasool Wani. The National Conference has nominated Kashmir Province President Nasir Aslam Wani, Jammu Province President Rattanlal Gupta, Sakina Itoo, Khalid Suhrawardy, and Additional General Secretary Ajay Sadhotra.
Sources said that in the first meeting, it was discussed that the party with a strong presence in a particular area should be given the seat. Due to delimitation, the equations of many assembly constituencies have changed. Therefore, the sitting-getting formula will not work.
Decisions on seat sharing will be made keeping in mind the current situation. The election campaign will be conducted jointly. The information about the seats shared in the alliance will be made public first for the 24 seats in the first phase.
Sources said that this alliance will take shape to stop the BJP. Talks have been initiated with parties having similar ideologies.