Congress-NC will get comfortable majority: Tariq Karra

Jammu, Oct 6: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra Sunday said that the Congress-National Conference (NC) coalition would get a comfortable majority to form the government and the final results would be much better than the numbers projected in the exit polls.

A statement of Congress issued here said that speaking after a meeting with the party candidates of the Jammu region here, which lasted for about three and a half hours, Karra held detailed discussions about the conduct of the campaign process, the role of administration, and prospects of the party and the coalition as well as the strategy ahead.

The statement said that the participants expressed confidence over the winning prospects of the party and said that Congress-NC will get a complete majority in the elections to form the government.

It said that the party candidates also briefed the J&K Congress chief about the “role of Police and administration in favour of the ruling party and the failure of the administration at most places in taking action against the electoral malpractices resorted to by the ruling party candidates”.

“The inaction and non-cooperation by the Police and administration was viewed with great concern and said that administration was expected to remain impartial,” the statement said.

Later, Karra asserted that the numbers of the NC and Congress coalition would be higher than predicted in the exit polls and the coalition would gain a comfortable majority to form the government.

Talking to a group of journalists after the meeting, Karra said that the exit polls were in tune with their claim but their expectations were much more than the projected numbers.

He said that the coalition would have a comfortable majority to form the government and both coalition partners should have very good numbers, adding the basic purpose of forming a coalition would be achieved.

In reply to queries, he said that the doors for like-minded parties and individuals would be open to keep BJP out of power.

On the question of the nomination of five MLAs by the Lieutenant Governor and giving them roles in government formation, Karra said it would amount to rigging the poll results and contrary to the basic concept of democracy and defeating the mandate of people.

“The Congress will oppose it tooth and nail and won’t allow BJP to succeed in its designs, although it will be no way near the claim for formation of government,” he said.

On the issue of Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat polls, Karra said that it would be the priority of the new government and that the final decision should be left to the elected government.