No BJP alliance, says NC leader; asserts narrative designed to fracture Kashmir mandate

August 17, 2024 by News Desk

A day after the announcement of assembly elections, the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (NC) has ruled out any possibility of forming an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the state assembly.

Advocate Hashim Peerzada, senior leader of Anantnag NC and the son of senior NC leader Peerzada Mohammed Hussain, firmly denied any possibility of an alliance with the BJP. In an interview with The Kashmiriyat, Hashim stated, “There is not even the slightest possibility of joining hands with the BJP. Our party will decide whether we will enter into a pre-poll alliance with Congress or PDP, but it is clear that there will be no coalition with the BJP.”

He added that the party is confident in its ability to form the government in the region independently. “People have come to recognize that the National Conference is the only viable alternative to the BJP. Unfortunately, some divisive elements in Kashmir mislead the public with false narratives for their own gain. It is essential to counter these attempts to fracture the people’s mandate in the Kashmir valley, where the NC is well-positioned to secure a majority and form the government. Additionally, we are strong in Jammu and anticipate robust competition in that region as well,” said the NC leader.

Claiming that the results of the parliamentary elections were a clear response to the BJP, he said, “Anyone associated with the BJP received the fewest votes. Logically, the party would not jeopardize its future by aligning with the BJP. Therefore, I believe the people of Kashmir should act wisely and give a clear majority to the National Conference in both Kashmir and Jammu.”

Pertinently, the Election Commission of India on Friday announced the much-delayed elections for Jammu Kashmir assembly in accordance with the Supreme Court guidelines to conduct the elections in the region by September 30, 2024.

The elections will be conducted in three phases starting September 18 with the final phase on October 01. The counting of votes will take place on October 04, 2024.