On the eve of the Rajya Sabha elections, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah asserted that the Congress continues to stand with them and supports its candidates.
Abdullah’s remarks came amid reports of friction within the NC-Congress alliance, after the NC declined to offer Congress a “safe seat” in the RS polls. The Congress had been offered one seat by the NC, but refused to contest.
Dismissing reports about a rift, Abdullah told reporters, “The Congress is with us. They support us.”
Meanwhile, NC today issued a whip asking all its legislators to ensure their presence in the Assembly and vote in accordance with the party’s decision.
The directive, issued by NC chief whip Mubarik Gul, instructed all party members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to remain present for the polling, cast their vote in favour of the NC’s official candidate, and refrain from abstaining, remaining absent, or voting contrary to party directions.
“In exercise of the powers vested in me as chief whip of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, all members of the party in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are hereby strictly directed to remain present in the Assembly on October 24, the day fixed for the polling of the Rajya Sabha elections,” the whip stated.
The ruling NC is contesting all four Rajya Sabha seats and is in direct contest with BJP that has fielded three candidates. The NC expects that all non BJP parties including Congress and Peoples Democratic Party and Independents.
The NC holds a clear majority within the J&K Assembly 41 MLAs, followed by the BJP with 28. The numbers give the NC a comfortable edge in the three seats of Rajya Sabha.
