Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday announced a pre-poll alliance with the Indian National Congress for the 90 assembly seats in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections.
The announcement came after a meeting chaired by Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and other NC leaders at Farooq Abdullah's residence in Srinagar.
Speaking to the media after the meeting with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Farooq Abdullah said the alliance is on track, and the papers will be signed by this evening. The alliance has been forged for all 90 seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi called for the restoration of statehood to J&K, a promise already made by the BJP government. However, he refrained from mentioning the restoration of Article 370 or autonomy.
"Our priority in the Congress party and also in the INDIA bloc is to restore statehood in J&K as soon as possible."
"We hope to see democracy restored," he said, reiterating that it was the first time since independence that a state was reduced to a Union Territory.
"I have heard and seen Union Territories being converted into States, but J&K is an exception. We have made it clear in our election manifesto that it is our priority to restore the democratic rights of the people of J&K and Ladakh. My message to the people of J&K is that in whatever manner we can help them, we are ready," he said, adding, "In the marketplace of hatred, we want to open a shop of love, with respect and brotherhood."