Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Friday conceded that both the Congress party and the National Conference (NC) struggled to make a significant impact in Jammu during the recent Jammu and Kashmir elections. He stated that the primary reason for the alliance between Congress and NC was to challenge the BJP in its strongholds.
Mir noted, “The tough fight was in Jammu, where NC could win only two to three seats and didn’t succeed. We joined the alliance to stop the BJP in its stronghold, but we too failed—neither the NC nor Congress could do anything there.” He emphasized the urgent need for restoring statehood to the union territory.
Restoration of Statehood a Priority
Mir asserted that the new government should prioritize the restoration of statehood. “If the Prime Minister restores statehood without any demand, his goodwill will be created, as he is a man of commitment,” he remarked.
While the alliance struggled in Jammu, Mir highlighted its relatively better performance in the Kashmir Valley. He stated, “Proportionately, we did better in the Kashmir Valley, which means Congress leaders influence Kashmir.” He pointed out that the NC contested for more seats, which led to their larger mandate in the region.
Farooq Abdullah’s Remarks on Alliance Mandate
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah expressed gratitude to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for supporting the NC-Congress alliance. He emphasized the need for the Union government to address the region’s issues, prioritizing the restoration of statehood. Abdullah said, “Our priority is to address all the issues faced by the people here… If the crown shines, then India shines.”
Abdullah acknowledged that while the restoration of Article 370 would take time, the immediate focus remains on statehood. He mentioned, “Today, Omar (Abdullah) has been made the leader, and we will soon talk to Congress to decide when to take the oath.” He reiterated the strategic importance of Jammu and Kashmir, calling for maximum support from the Union government for the region’s development.
The NC’s legislative party unanimously selected Omar Abdullah as its leader. Expressing gratitude, he said, “I am deeply grateful to the National Conference legislators for reposing faith in me, trusting me, and giving me the chance to go to Raj Bhavan and stake a claim to form the government.”
These elections mark the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the bifurcation of the former state into two Union Territories. The outcome has sparked discussions about the future political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
