Srinagar, Sep 05: Senior Congress leader GA Mir on Thursday said that both National Conference and Congress would take strict action against rebel leaders who have filed nominations for the first phase of elections.
Speaking to the media in Srinagar, he said that such actions should not have occurred. In certain areas, we have allocated seats to the NC, yet our own candidates have also submitted their nominations, which is unacceptable,” Mir said.
“Even in some areas, NC’s proposed candidates have filed their nominations as independent candidates. The senior leadership of both parties has taken serious note of this,” he said.
“By today or tomorrow, strict action will be taken against these rebel leaders,” he added. “Out of 90 seats, such situations may arise for both parties in certain places.”
Mir further explained that five seats have been set aside for friendly contests due to the presence of strong candidates from both sides. He noted that, fortunately, the BJP’s candidates in these constituencies have less visibility.
“Apart from these five seats, only one candidate from the alliance will be finalized. We may even drop a candidate at the eleventh hour if needed. Observers are closely monitoring the situation,” he said.
Regarding Jamaat’s participation in the elections, Mir welcomed the move, stating that it reflects a shared belief in democracy. “All solutions lie in the beauty of democracy,” he said.
However, Mir added that from another perspective, BJP has been instrumental in creating several parties, including the Apni Party, People’s Conference, and Ghulam Nabi Azad-led DPAP.
“These BJP-backed parties were rejected by the people during the Lok Sabha elections. Now, the BJP is attempting to divide the larger mandate through other means. We are confident that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will give them a fitting response,” he said.
Mir further said the alliance’s commitment, predicting that it will secure over 70 seats in Jammu and Kashmir. “We will compel the Central Government to restore our status and enact laws that are in the best interest of the people here,” he added.
Meanwhile NC-Congress alliance is facing internal strife ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, as several leaders have rebelled and are now contesting as independents against the alliance candidates.
In key constituencies like Srinagar, Ganderbal, Tral, and Shopian, former Congress and NC leaders have filed nominations after being denied tickets. This move threatens to split votes between the alliance partners, potentially damaging their chances of victory, particularly in Tral and Shopian.
Pertinent to mention, Waseem Shalla, a former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) General Secretary, has resigned from Congress and is now running as an independent candidate in the Khanyar constituency against NC General Secretary and six-time legislator, Ali Muhammad Sagar.
Similarly, Imtiyaz Khan, the former PCC District President for Srinagar, resigned and is contesting in the Eidgah constituency against NC’s Mubarak Gul, a two-time legislator.
In Habakadal, Asif Beigh, a former Congress municipal councillor, also resigned and is challenging NC’s Shamima Firdous, a two-time legislator.
Sahil Farooq, former District President of the PCC from Ganderbal, is running independently against NC Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Meanwhile, Manzoor Ahmad, a District Development Council (DDC) member from Srinagar, is also contesting as an independent in Lal Chowk.
