NC-Cong to fight 2014 polls together, says Omar Abdullah

In an important political development that could impact the outcome of next assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said ruling coalition partners National Conference (NC) and Congress would contest 2014 elections together.

“A joint fight in the upcoming Legislative Council polls will be in preparation for contesting 2014 elections in an alliance. The two parties are natural allies and the tie will grow stronger in future,” Omar said, addressing a NC-Congress workers’ rally in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

Sounding a warning to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Chief Minister said, “Had we (NC and Congress) contested the 2008 elections jointly, the picture would have been different and PDP would have been non-existent.”

A total of 40 candidates are in the fray for four J&K Legislative Council seats, under the panchayat quota, with all the parties fielding their candidates.

The NC and Congress are contesting two seats each in the polls scheduled next month.
Omar asked the panches and sarpanches to unite and ensure victory of the joint candidates of the two parties.

“Exhibit through a favourable verdict in favour of NC-Congress candidates that the coalition between the two parties is for the highest cause of public service and in the larger interest of the State and the country,” the Chief Minister said.

Without naming the PDP, Omar who is also the working President of the NC, castigated the party and its leadership for unleashing “uncalled for and false propaganda” against the government and the coalition.