• Likely to discuss seat sharing with local parties
• Many meetings scheduled, expecting positive results: Cong
• Before leaving Jammu, two leaders to address presser today
Srinagar, Aug 21: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday evening for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The leaders’ visit is aimed at reviewing the Congress party’s preparedness for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Upon arrival at Srinagar International Airport, Gandhi and Kharge were warmly welcomed by party workers. They proceeded to the Lalit Grand Palace before heading to the Nehru Guest House.
During their visit, the leaders will engage in discussions with regional political parties, including the National Conference (NC), to explore potential pre-poll alliances and seat-sharing arrangements. Meetings are scheduled to continue late into the night to finalize strategies and alliances.
Ravinder Sharma, Senior Vice President and Chief Spokesperson of JKPCC, informed Rising Kashmir that the meetings will cover various aspects of election preparation, including seat-sharing discussions with NC and other regional parties. An important press conference with Gandhi and Kharge is planned for Thursday in Srinagar.
“Many meetings are scheduled till late night. It also includes meetings with regional party leaders including National Conference. They will discuss seat sharing and further steps regarding the alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections,” he said.
Sharma said that both top leaders of Congress along with senior leaders of JKPCC will address an important press conference in Srinagar on Thursday.
“After that, both leaders will leave for Jammu tomorrow afternoon. They will interact with party workers before leaving for Jammu,” he added.
On Monday, newly appointed J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra said that Congress’s policy is very clear. “We are ready to join hands with any party or individual who is against the BJP and its policies,” he said.
“To my knowledge, NC has already approached our central leaders. All like-minded parties, whether they belong to Jammu or Kashmir. The only criteria is they should be like-minded,” he said.
Both Congress and NC had a pre-poll alliance during the recently held Lok Sabha elections. While Congress contested both Lok Sabha seats in Jammu division and one in Ladakh, NC fielded candidates for the three seats in Kashmir. However, Congress lost all three seats while NC won two.
Despite facing a defeat in Jammu, the Congress is eyeing to win assembly seats in the plains and Chenab Valley region. Party leaders believe there is resentment against the BJP in the region over the issue of unemployment, rising prices and lack of development.
