The Jammu and Kashmir Congress announced on Saturday that it is carefully considering all strategic possibilities for fielding candidates in the two upcoming Assembly by-elections. These crucial bypolls are set to take place on November 11 in the Budgam Assembly segment within the Kashmir valley and the Nagrota constituency in the Jammu region.
Earlier, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah indicated that his party, the National Conference (NC), would contest the Budgam seat. He also offered the NC’s support to a Congress candidate in Nagrota, should one be put forward. However, the ultimate decision regarding these candidacies rests with the Congress’s central high command.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra informed reporters that while the NC’s offer of support for Nagrota has been noted, the party’s central leadership is currently reviewing the matter. When pressed on whether the Congress might contest both seats, Mr. Karra emphasized that “all options remain open,” reiterating that the final call belongs to the high command.
Adding to the political discourse, the Central Shalteng MLA confirmed that the Congress has reignited its significant ‘Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq’ (Our State, Our Right) campaign. This initiative aims to exert pressure for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Mr. Karra explained that the program had faced several interruptions, initially paused due to an attack in Pahalgam, then by a period of war-like tension, and further delayed by a cloudburst and subsequent flood-like conditions. He affirmed that the campaign is now back on track and will be implemented across all districts of J&K.
Addressing questions about the relationship between the alliance partners, the National Conference and Congress, especially after the Congress reportedly accused the NC of denying them a “safe seat” in recent Rajya Sabha polls, Mr. Karra responded, “Who said it is not (fine)?” He acknowledged that the previous comments were a natural reaction to the perceived “snub,” as the Congress leadership had not anticipated such a “U-turn or backtracking” on their request to the NC.