"Will Omar Abdullah campaign in Haryana and Maharashtra": BJP's Shazia Ilmi on NC-Congress alliance
Aug 26, 2024
New Delhi [India], August 26 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Shazia Ilmi has strongly criticised the Congress party for aligning with the National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning the party's stance and electoral strategy.
Ilmi claimed that the Congress and NC have both rejected the offer from People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, arguing that Mufti's agenda aligns closely with that of the NC.
Ilmi questioned how the Congress, after forming an alliance with the NC, plans to seek votes in states like Jammu, Haryana, and Maharashtra.
"National Conference and Congress have rejected Mehbooba Mufti...NC and Congress have rejected her offer and said that her agenda is the same as that of the National Conference...After allying with the National Conference, with what face will the Congress party seek votes from the public of Jammu, Haryana and Maharashtra...On one hand, the Congress party talks about reservation and on the other hand, they are talking about ending reservations in J&K...Will Omar Abdullah campaign in Haryana and Maharashtra?... Congress needs to clear its stand," Ilmi said while speaking to ANI.
Meanwhile, the National Conference and Congress, on Monday announced its seat sharing for the Jammu-Kashmir Assembly polls.
National Conference 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.
Making the announcement, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra said the two parties have reached the seat-sharing agreement by understanding "sensitivities of each other".
"National Conference will contest on 51 seats, Congress on 32 and we have agreed to have a friendly but disciplined contest on 5 seats. Over and above these 88 seats, we have left 1 seat for CPI (M) and 1 seat for Panthers Party," Karra said at a press conference.
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.
