The uneasy alliance between the National Conference (NC) and Congress in Jammu and Kashmir showed further signs of strain on Wednesday after the Congress party decided to skip a crucial strategy meeting convened by the NC to discuss preparations for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and the autumn session of the Legislative Assembly.
According to reports by Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Congress’s decision came shortly after its own internal meeting, chaired by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) President Tariq Hamid Karra, which lasted nearly three hours. The meeting ended without a final decision, with discussions set to continue on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Karra said that the deliberations remained “inconclusive” and that the views of party legislators would be conveyed to the central leadership.
“The sentiments and suggestions put forth by our legislators are being shared with the high command. It was decided that, keeping in view the sensitivity of some important matters, today’s meeting has been adjourned until tomorrow for further discussions and consultations,” Karra said.
Dismissing speculation that the Congress was divided over its strategy for the Rajya Sabha polls, Karra added, “It would be premature to assume that the Congress is in a dilemma. Every member had their opinion, and we have sought guidance from our central leadership because, for a national party, their involvement and advice are essential.”
He admitted, however, that the confidence of Congress legislators had been “shaken due to certain recent incidents.”
The NC had invited all legislators from the ruling alliance—including six Congress MLAs, five independents, and CPI (M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami—to attend the strategy session held at Hotel Radisson Collection in Srinagar.
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However, the widening rift between the NC and Congress has become increasingly visible in recent weeks, especially after the NC reportedly refused to offer Congress a “safe seat” in the Rajya Sabha elections. Instead, the Congress was offered a high-risk seat, which it declined to contest.
Adding to the tension, the NC also proposed the Nagrota Assembly seat to Congress—a move the party similarly rejected.
With the Rajya Sabha elections approaching on October 24, the political temperature in J&K’s alliance camp has risen sharply, raising questions about coordination and unity between the two key coalition partners.
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