J&K NC’s solo bid: Blow to INDIA alliance 

| Updated: 15 February, 2024 4:24 pm IST

SRINAGAR: In a significant development, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member of Parliament from the Srinagar constituency has unequivocally declared that the party will not form any pre-poll alliance, dealing a major setback to the INDIA bloc.

Addressing reporters at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Dr. Farooq emphasized that the National Conference is set to contest independently in the upcoming elections, dispelling all speculations about potential alliances. Responding to inquiries regarding the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, he indicated an anticipation for simultaneous elections with the Lok Sabha polls.

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Former Chief Minister and National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah was a staunch supporter of the INDIA alliance and participated in all the gatherings of the opposition coalition. Mr. Abdullah refrained from providing details on the abrupt decision made by his party.

In the previous month, Dr Abdullah voiced reservations regarding the absence of agreement on seat-sharing arrangements within the India bloc. During an interview, Dr Abdullah emphasized the immediate need for consensus, asserting, “To safeguard the nation, we must set aside discrepancies and prioritize the welfare of the country.”

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Dr Farooq Abdullah was recently called upon by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding financial improprieties related to the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association. The case revolves around purported fund diversion through transactions to unrelated individuals’ personal bank accounts and unexplained cash withdrawals from the association’s funds. Dr. Abdullah opted not to appear, attributing his absence to being away in an email and a letter addressed to ED officials.

West Bengal CM and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee recently declared that her party would go solo in the state’s national elections, opting not to ally with the Congress. Similarly, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asserted its intention to independently contest all 14 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab, ruling out any collaboration with the Congress.

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