Cong, NC stitch J&K alliance; formula to share seats soon

Congress and National Conference stitched a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming J&K assembly elections in Srinagar on Thursday, with an "aim to fight the divisive forces spreading hate in the country".

Congress president Malikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi met Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah of National Conference at the latter's residence here where they deliberated on the seat-sharing arrangement for 90 seats.

"Meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the alliance is on track. Congress, NC and CPI(M) are together and I hope people are also with us," said Farooq. He said that people of J&K have suffered for the last 10 years and hoped that statehood would be restored as soon as possible.


"We stand with the INDIA bloc. Our common programme is to fight elections to defeat the divisive forces. Seat-sharing arrangements will be made public phase-wise and no doors are closed for any party (for post-poll) alliance," said Abdullah.

Kharge, Gandhi, KC Venugopal were on a two-day visit to J&K during which they held several interactions and addressed workers in Srinagar and Jammu. Congress leaders had no meeting with the People's Democratic Party leadership.

"My aim is to erase fear and pain from the hearts of people of J&K... It is our (Congress) priority and also of the INDIA bloc to restore statehood to J&K as soon as possible. Democratic rights of people of J&K and Ladakh would be restored soon," said Gandhi, who said that since independence J&K is the only state to be downgraded into Union Territories.

Kharge said Congress and INDIA bloc are fighting to save the Constitution, country and democracy.