Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 9: As the “arrogant” and self-proclaimed “senior Congress” leaders are yet not ready to accept their humiliating defeat in the elections, the National Conference has started a comprehensive exercise to reach out to the Independent MLAs to mobilize sufficient numbers to run a smooth and stable government.
Highly placed sources said that taking advantage of the casual approach being adopted by the Congress leadership, top leadership of the National Conference approached dissident Congress leader and Independent MLA from Chhamb Satish Sharma and offered him ministerial berth.
Satish Sharma, Independent MLA from the Chhamb assembly segment is a Congress rebel who fought the election against the party’s veteran leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand.
Although the National Conference -Congress coalition crossed the majority number in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, seven candidates who emerged victorious as Independents will play an important role in the stability of the new government.
Out of the seven Independent MLAs, five are the National Conference’s rebels, and they are very likely to rejoin the party in the coming days.
The National Conference has approached some Independents to secure a majority on its own. In the 90-member house, the Nation Top NC leaders have approached dissident Congress leader and Independent MLA from Chhamb Satish Sharma and offered him ministerial berth.
Although NC -Congress coalition crossed the majority number, seven independents who emerged victorious can play an important role in the stability of the new government.
Of seven Independent MLAs, five are NC rebels, and they are very likely to rejoin the party in the coming days.
The NC has approached some Independents to secure a majority on its own.
According to well-placed sources, shortly after the results were announced, the NC leadership made contact with Satish Sharma and Dr. Rameshwar Singh, Independent MLAs from the Chhamb and Bani constituencies in Jammu and Kathua districts, respectively. Sources added that Payare Lal Sharma (Inderwal), Choudhary Akram (Surankote), and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Thanamandi) — who had contested as rebel NC candidates — were already in touch with the party and are expected to formally align with the National Conference soon. Once six out of the seven Independent MLAs join the National Conference, the party’s strength will rise to 48, surpassing the majority mark by two seats. Additionally, support from CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mehraj Malik of Doda would further consolidate the National Conference's position.
Sources also revealed that NC aims to maintain a regional balance in the new government by inducting these Independent Hindu MLAs from the Jammu region into the council of ministers. This move serves two purposes: balancing representation between Jammu and Kashmir and ensuring a strong majority that minimizes reliance on the Congress, the party’s potential coalition partner. | 