Congress skips NC meeting amid growing rift in J&K ruling alliance

Amid the widening rift within the National Conference (NC)-led ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress party on Wednesday skipped a meeting convened by the NC to discuss the floor strategy ahead of the Autumn session of the Assembly in Srinagar.

The meeting was also scheduled to deliberate on the strategy for the upcoming election to four Rajya Sabha seats.

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The NC had invited all legislators of the ruling alliance, including six Congress MLAs, five independents, and CPI(M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, to the meeting.

PCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra told reporters that a separate meeting of the Congress Legislature Party, convened by him, held detailed discussions on the prevailing political situation. Each MLA shared their views on the issue.

The meeting, however, remained inconclusive and will continue tomorrow to decide whether to participate in the Rajya Sabha voting or to abstain.

The outcome of these deliberations will be forwarded to the Congress high command for a final decision on the course of action to be adopted by its members.

The rift between the NC and Congress has deepened over the past two weeks, particularly after the NC refused to offer Congress a safe seat for the Rajya Sabha.

The NC had offered the Nagrota Assembly seat to the Congress, but the offer was turned down. By-elections are being held for the Nagrota and Budgam Assembly seats.