No conflict between INDIA bloc members on seat-sharing in J&K: Congress

Srinagar, Mar 8: The Congress on Friday said that there was no conflict between the INDIA bloc members on seat sharing in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Talks on seat-sharing between the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress in J&K for the upcoming parliamentary polls are ongoing,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) senior Vice President Ghulam Nabi Monga told reporters here. “There is no disagreement among the members of the INDIA bloc in J&K.”

Monga’s comments came after the NC announced its decision to field candidates on all three seats in Kashmir without leaving any seat for the PDP.

J&K has five Lok Sabha seats including two from the Jammu region, while Ladakh has one.

In the previous elections, NC won all three seats in Kashmir while the BJP secured the two Jammu seats and the lone Ladakh seat.

Monga compared the ongoing discussions to the Congress’ negotiations on seat-sharing in Maharashtra and with other parties like AAP, saying that all issues were typically resolved through dialogue.

He emphasised that while the NC had the right to claim multiple seats, the final decision would be reached through talks.

Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent rally in Srinagar, Monga said that the PM should have addressed issues like the restoration of statehood and democracy in J&K, as well as concerns about inflation and unemployment.

He referred to the Supreme Court’s directive to the government to hold elections in J&K and expressed disappointment that these crucial matters were not the focus of the PM’s speech.