Aim of alliance with Congress is to defeat communal forces: NC’s Sajjad Shaheen

Ramban (J&K), Aug 27: Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) assembly polls, National Conference (NC) candidate from Banihal, Sajjad Shaheen, said on Tuesday that the aim of their party's alliance with Congress is to defeat communal forces in the valley.

Speaking to ANI, Shaheen thanked the party leadership for choosing him as its candidate.

"I thank the party leadership. We are fully prepared. National Conference is not just a political party. All the people who have joined us enthusiastic. We are fully hopeful that the party will win here and form the government," he said.

"We will not only fulfil the promises we made to the people in the manifesto but will also restore dignity and honour here. The sole aim of this alliance is to defeat communal forces. Where we do not have a direct contest with the BJP, we are making a friendly contest," he added.

Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) will contest 51 of 90 seats and Congress 32 according to the seat-sharing pact reached by the two parties for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The two parties will also have "friendly contest" on five seats.

The two parties have left one seat each for CPI(M) and Panthers Party.

National Conference announced its list of 18 candidates while the Congress announced first list on nine candidates.

BJP on Monday released its first list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir elections. The party subsequently declared its candidate from Konkernag seat also naming a total of 16 candidates.

The list features candidates from both the Jammu and Kashmir regions.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4.

Voting will be held for 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Election Commission, the Union Territory has 88.06 lakh electors.