National Conference to contest Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections alone

The National Conference (NC) has decided to contest Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections alone. The NC will not ally with any constituent of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD). The decision to this effect was taken by the NC's provincial committee members unanimously and said that they should contest all 90 assembly seats of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir.

The National Conference's statement suggests the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration may be near its end. The PAGD, an amalgam of five parties - NC, PDP, Awami National Conference, CPI(M), and CPI - was formed after the nullification of the special status of J&K after August 5, 2019. It was constituted to fight for the restoration of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution as it existed on



August 4, 2019.

In a tweet, the NC said, the participants present in the meeting expressed dismay over the recent statements, audio jingles & speeches made by some constituents of the PAGD targeting JKNC.

They felt that it does not contribute to the overall unity of the amalgam. The party also denounced the unfair treatment meted out to it in the PAGD and demanded an immediate course correction by alliance constituents.

NC leader Omar Abdullah said, only way to protect J&K's identity is to first register and cast your vote in huge numbers. Provincial committee members unanimously resolved that JKNC should prepare and fight all 90 seats, he said.