Jammu Kashmir Assembly elections: National Conference and Congress agree on pre-poll alliance

Both parties have agreed in principle to join forces and discussions on seat-sharing arrangements are underway, reported India Today.

Late-night talks were held between leaders of the National Conference and Congress in Srinagar, focusing on a seat-sharing arrangement between them.

Sources reveal that the Congress is keen on contesting 12 seats in the Kashmir Valley while offering 12 seats to the NC in the Jammu region, the report said.

However, no final decision has been reached, and another round of talks is expected in the next day or two to finalize the agreement.the report said.

This alliance could play a significant role in shaping the political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir in the forthcoming elections.

With the Election Commission of India (ECI) having announced the much-awaited Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, political activity in the region is ramping up after a six-year break.

The last major political event was the Lok Sabha elections, but now, with the Assembly elections approaching, the political activities in the Union Territory have once again intensified.

The Jammu Kashmir Assembly polls are historic, being held for the first time since the region underwent major changes over the past five years, including the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

This led to the conversion of the state to a Union Territory (UT) and its division, with Ladakh becoming a separate UT without a legislature.

The elections will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with the results expected to be announced on October 4.