Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 | NC dismisses rumors of backchannel talks with BJP ahead of vote count

The party's clarification came amid speculation that it was engaged in backchannel deliberations with the BJP for government formation in the union territory.

Srinagar: As the countdown to counting of votes for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections begins, the National Conference (NC) on Friday dismissed rumors suggesting backchannel discussions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the government formation.

The party was responding to social media posts that suggested NC had opened negotiations with the BJP for a possible government formation in case of a fractured mandate.

“JKNC categorically denies the unfounded rumors of ‘back channel’ talks with any party outside the INDIA Bloc. Those sensing their impending defeat have resorted to spreading such baseless accusations,” NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said in a statement.

"We urge the public, who have placed their trust in us, to disregard these false claims and not be swayed by rumor-mongering,” he added.

The three phase Assembly election in J&K ended on October 1 and the counting of votes is scheduled for October 8. While the NC is expected to win a majority of the seats in Kashmir, the BJP is poised to gain maximum seats in the Jammu region.

However, no party or alliance is expected to win 46 seats out of the 90 member assembly. With a highly fractured mandate predicted, speculations and rumors about government formation after October 8 have gained momentum.