Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar:DD, Putting an end to days of political uncertainty, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) on Thursday announced its decision to extend full support to the National Conference (NC) candidates in Friday’s Rajya Sabha elections.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra said, the decision was taken after detailed deliberations with party legislators and consultations with the central leadership in New Delhi.
“After considering the sensitivities of Jammu and Kashmir and our party’s secular ethos, we have decided to back the NC candidates to prevent the BJP from gaining ground,” Karra said.
He described the move as a “moral and political decision” aimed at safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s democratic and secular identity.
“Despite our differences with the National Conference on several issues, we chose the path of unity over division,” he added.
Karra further stated that all six Congress MLAs, Ghulam Amir, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Nizamuddin Bhat, Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone, and Iftikhar Ahmed, unanimously supported the decision.
“A party whip has been issued, and all members will vote for the NC candidate,” he confirmed.
Appreciating the spirit of cooperation between the two parties, Karra praised NC candidate Shammi Oberoi for his role in fostering mutual understanding. “He helped turn negotiation into dialogue and disagreement into coordination,” he said.
Karra reiterated that the Congress remains firm in its national and regional resolve to resist the BJP’s political influence. “Our fight is for preserving Jammu and Kashmir’s pluralistic and constitutional values,” he said. (KNC)