Congress says it was leadership was ‘assured’ of ‘safe’ seat

Srinagar : Senior Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Monday claimed that the National Conference leadership had assured the Congress leadership that it would be offered a ‘safe’ seat.

Speaking to reporters, as per the news agency Mir said the assurance was given at Congress at the highest level in New Delhi. “The Congress intended to contest one seat, but it had to be a safe one. We wanted to be allocated either the first, second, or third seat. It was conveyed at the highest level that Congress should nominate a candidate and apply for a safe seat. However, when it came time to finalize the modalities, there was no communication. Later, we were informed that Congress should field its candidate for the fourth seat,” he said.

He said that National Conference didn’t take their alliance partner and like-minded parties and individuals like Peoples Democratic Party and Sajad Gani Lone and other MLAs in confidence over Rajya Sabha polls.

“We believe that not a single member from 60 non- BJP members in J&K assembly would have supported BJP. There was a need to take them in confidence before finalising candidates. But that didn’t happen,” he said.

He said that it was responsibility of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take everyone confidence.

He, however, said nobody among 60 non-BJP members would vote for the saffron party.

Mir said there was also lack of consultation during the formation of the Council of Ministers. “The Congress decided against joining the government until there are broader discussions. The coalition was not formed merely for ministerial positions, but to address the pressing issues of the people through meaningful deliberations,” he said.

He said there has been no coordination or deliberations between the alliance partners over the past one year—(KNO)