Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Monday said that the Congress Party is keen to contest one of the four upcoming Rajya Sabha (RS) seats from Jammu and Kashmir but clarified that the final decision will be taken by the central leadership in consultation with its alliance partner, the National Conference (NC).
He also ruled out the possibility of contesting the Budgam and Nagrota by-elections independently.
Speaking exclusively with the news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Karra said that the Congress remains firmly committed to the alliance and will vote together with its partner.
“It is the central leadership that has to take the call. For the four Rajya Sabha seats, we wish to contest one. As alliance partners, we will be voting together. Wherever our candidates are, we will be voting together,” Karra said.
When asked whether the National Conference (NC) has agreed to the Congress’s proposal for one RS seat, Karra said such discussions are being handled at the national level.
“The central leadership may have already talked to the NC. It is for them to take the final decision,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, the National Conference confirmed that the Congress had approached the party regarding seat-sharing for the upcoming RS polls.
According to the ECI notification, the nomination process for the four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir began today, with October 24 fixed as the date of polling, if necessary. Counting will also be held the same day.
The Election Commission of India also announced the schedule for by-elections to the Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies, which will be held on November 11, with counting on November 14 — coinciding with the Bihar Assembly elections 2025.
When asked whether the Congress will contest these by-polls independently, Karra ruled out the possibility and reaffirmed the alliance with the NC.
“No, we are in alliance with the NC. Everything will be discussed and decided mutually. When we sit with our alliance partner, these issues will be discussed in a composite way,” he said.
Commenting on the long-pending demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, the JKPCC chief said that the continued uncertainty and administrative confusion in the Union Territory will persist until full statehood is reinstated.
“I am very firm on this — till the statehood is restored, the confusion and chaos will not end. As long as the dual power system continues, certain officers will keep exploiting the situation,” Karra asserted.
“The faith in democracy is in danger, and if this system continues without the restoration of statehood, the casualty will be the democratic structure itself,” Karra warned. (KINS)
