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, Mir said the assurance was given to the 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 finalise 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 the National Conference did not take its alliance partner and like-minded parties and individuals such as the Peoples Democratic Party, Sajad Gani Lone, and other MLAs into confidence over the Rajya Sabha polls.
“We believe that not a single member from the 60 non-BJP members in the J&K Assembly would have supported the BJP. There was a need to take them into confidence before finalising candidates. But that did not happen,” he said.
He said that it was the responsibility of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take everyone into confidence. He, however, said nobody among the 60 non-BJP members would vote for the saffron party.
Mir said there was also a 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 deliberation between the alliance partners over the past year. (KNO)
