| 7 months on, coalition partners stay away; NC sidelines Congress | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, June 1: Tensions are simmering within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress as its leaders express growing frustration with the ruling National Conference (NC), their coalition partner, for allegedly sidelining them in the Omar Abdullah-led government.
Nearly seven months since the formation of the government in the Union Territory, not a single Congress leader has been appointed to any significant position in government institutions or committees, leading to mounting discontent within the party.
The Congress, which allied with the NC to form the government after the assembly elections in October 2024, had anticipated a more inclusive role in the administration. Party leaders expected appointments as chairpersons of various committees or other key positions as part of the coalition agreement. However, sources within the Congress indicate that the NC has not taken any concrete steps to accommodate its coalition partner, leaving Congress leaders feeling marginalized.
A senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “We entered this alliance with the expectation of mutual respect and shared responsibilities. But seven months on, the NC has not shown any seriousness in involving us in governance. Our patience is wearing thin.” The leader further noted that the Congress had hoped for representation in key decision-making bodies, but the lack of action has raised questions about the NC’s commitm Tensions are simmering within the J&K Congress as its leaders are unhappy over Omar -led government sidelining them .
Even after seven months since the formation of the government in the UT, not a single Congress leader has been appointed to any significant position in government institutions or committees.
The Congress, which allied with the NC to form the government after the assembly elections in October 2024, had anticipated a more inclusive role in the administration.
The NC has not taken any concrete steps to accommodate its coalition partner, leaving Congress leaders feeling marginalized.
The frustration comes in the backdrop of earlier strains in the NC-Congress alliance, particularly over issues like the restoration of Article 370 and electronic voting machine controversies, where the two parties have publicly differed. Reports also suggest that the Congress has been vocal about the need for better coordination within the coalition, with leaders like Tariq Hameed Karra previously emphasizing the importance of a coordination committee to ensure smooth functioning.
The NC, however, has maintained that it values the alliance. In November 2024, senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir dismissed reports of a split, stating, “The National Conference is a regional party with a regional agenda, while Congress is a national party with a national perspective. Neither will we become NC, nor will they become Congress.” Despite such assurances, the lack of tangible inclusion in governance has fueled resentment among Congress ranks.
Congress leaders have privately expressed disappointment over the NC’s handling of key issues, including security and reservation policies, where they feel their input has been ignored. The party’s grassroots workers are also reportedly disillusioned, as they expected the coalition to provide opportunities to strengthen their presence in the Union Territory.
Political analysts suggest that the growing discord could weaken the coalition’s stability if not addressed promptly. |
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