Amid reports that Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad will join the Congress, Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that Congress is open to working with anyone who wants to fight the ideology of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir said, “It is not about approach. Before the Parliament election and now before the Assembly elections, we have said that it is the Congress party that fights with the ideology of BJP. Be it in the country or J&K if anyone no matter how big or small the party is and wants to follow this line, we are ready to work with them. Whoever wants to fight against BJP, Congress party’s platform is available for them.”
Earlier, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra said that a denial has come from Azad’s side so it is a closed chapter now.”A denial from the Azad Sahab’s party has come. After that, there is nothing to talk about be it an alliance or merger. It is a closed chapter now.”
Speaking about the visit of Congress’ top leadership to Srinagar, Ghulam Mir said “Rahul Gandhi and KC Venugopal have come to Srinagar and in a while, they will conduct a rally to meet the party workers. He will also interact with them. It was Rahul Gandhi’s wish to meet the party workers and directly talk to them. Rahul Gandhi had a long wish to meet party workers to know their wishes and dreams for Kashmir”.
Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Congress Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge will hold a meeting with the party workers of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Congress leaders stated that Rahul Gandhi will meet party workers on this occasion.
“He has an interaction scheduled with party workers. Workers will arrive as per capacity”, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra said,
Congress’ top leadership visit comes following the announcement of the election in the Union Territory. Security has been heightened outside the hotel where Rahul Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge will be holding a meeting with party workers today.
Earlier, Arshid Tantary a Congress youth leader said ” As you can see when Rahul Gandhi came to Srinagar yesterday, people were excited from the airport to the hotel. We have a worker’s meeting today. Around 500 workers are meeting him today. everyone wants to vote for the Congress”.
Asif Beigh Congress Youth Gen secretary of Jammu and Kashmir said on the occasion “We were with Rahul Gandhi toll 3 AM, then we started preparing for the event. we are filled with enthusiasm as our leader Rahul Gandhi is here. Rahul Gandhi will spread his ‘Mohabbat ka dukan’ in Jammu and Kashmir and will form ties with secular forces”.
Congress is likely to ally with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference ahead of the polls. The two parties had contested the Lok Sabha polls in alliance.
The polling in the Union Territory will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, as per the Election Commission of India. The counting of the votes will take place on October 4. These are the first elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
The election body has directed the enforcement agencies to be impartial and transparent for smooth and fair polling, ensuring a level playing field. There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies, of which 74 are general, nine are ST, and seven are SC. There are 87.09 lakh total electors, including 44.46 lakh are male, 42.62 lakh are female, 169 are transgender, 82,590 PwDs, 73943 are very senior citizens, 2660 are centenarians, 76092 are service electors, and 3.71 lakh are first-time voters. Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections after a gap of ten years, as the last assembly election was held in 2014.
