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| Congress likely to support NC candidates | | Decide on alliance with NC after Bihar polls | | 
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 14: Amid the ongoing political churning in Jammu and Kashmir over the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress is unlikely to abstain from the contest, despite internal resentment and visible strain in its alliance with the National Conference (NC).
Party sources indicate that while the Congress will support NC candidates this time, the future of their alliance will be decided only after the Bihar Assembly elections.
Highly placed sources in the party revealed that the central leadership, after detailed consultations with state leaders, has concluded that boycotting the Rajya Sabha elections would only serve to benefit the BJP. The Congress, therefore, has decided that all six of its MLAs will cast their votes in favour of NC candidates in all three notifications issued for the Upper House elections.
A senior Congress leader, speaking to The Early Times on condition of anonymity, said that abstaining from the polls would send out a politically damaging message. “If we stay away, it will appear that Congress has indirectly helped the BJP, especially on the seat notified under the third notification,” he said. “That would not only weaken our position in Jammu and Kashmir but also dent our credibility at the national level.”
The leader further clarified that the Congress wants to maintain a consistent stance against the BJP across the country. “Any act of political indifference or confusion would be exploited by our opponents. Voting for the NC candidates is not merely a local decision — it is a message that the Congress stands firmly in opposition to the BJP’s political narrative,” he explained.
According to insiders, several Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir had earlier suggested boycotting the polls in protest against the NC’s unilateral decision-making and reluctance to share seats equitably. However, the party high command reportedly intervened, advising restraint and unity within the INDIA bloc, at least until the Bihar Assembly elections conclude.
Party strategists believe that the outcome of the Bihar elections will have a bearing on future coalition dynamics across states, including Jammu and Kashmir. “The political landscape is fluid. Once Bihar results are out, the Congress will take a comprehensive view of its alliance with the NC, based on the larger national picture,” the source said.
The strained relationship between the two parties — both key members of the INDIA bloc — has been under the spotlight ever since the NC announced its four candidates for the four Rajya Sabha seats.
Nevertheless, the Congress appears keen to avoid a confrontation at this stage. “We do not want to hand over a walkover to the BJP. Our participation and voting are crucial to maintaining the alliance’s broader political message,” another senior functionary remarked. |
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