Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 25: With elections to four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir drawing near, cracks between the ruling National Conference (NC) and the Congress have deepened, raising questions over their uneasy alliance.
As per the present strength of the Legislative Assembly, the NC requires the backing of six Congress MLAs to secure a third Rajya Sabha seat. However, despite this critical support, NC leaders have intensified their attacks on the Congress in recent days.
Two days ago, the NC accused the Congress of “speaking the language of the BJP” and attempting to weaken the Omar Abdullah-led government in the Union Territory. The remarks came after sharp criticism from Congress leaders, including party general secretary in charge of J&K, Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma.
Responding to their statements, NC provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta said it was “unfortunate” that instead of appreciating the government’s achievements, Congress leaders were “questioning its credibility.” He asserted that the Omar-led government had delivered on reforms, development, and accountability “despite undue pressure from the Centre and interference from the LG.”
“In just ten months, this government has achieved more than a decade of bureaucratic misrule under LG governance. The people gave their mandate to NC, and that will must be respected,” Gupta said.
The war of words escalated further after Dr. Hussain accused NC ministers of shirking responsibility, citing Omar Abdullah’s remark that restoration of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway was “not in his hands.” Hussain argued that such comments disheartened people who had placed their trust in elected representatives, and stressed the need for compensation to flood-hit residents and those affected by repeated highway closures.
A day later, NC’s additional general secretary Ajay Sadhotra defended Abdullah, saying the government’s approach was “transparent, accountable, and people-centric.” He urged Congress to adopt a “holistic view” instead of a “myopic prism,” insisting that facts must not be misrepresented.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir know who stood with them in their darkest hours. National Conference has never betrayed their trust, and never will,” Sadhotra maintained.
The intensifying exchanges have widened the rift between the ruling NC and Congress, at a time when cooperation between the two could prove decisive in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. |
