The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has officially extended its support to the National Conference (NC) by submitting a letter to the Lieutenant Governor on Friday. This move brings the INDIA bloc’s total seats to 53, surpassing the majority threshold.
Arvind Kejriwal’s party has aligned with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC)-Congress coalition for the formation of a government in Jammu and Kashmir.
AAP stated, “We are extending support to the JKNC in Jammu & Kashmir, and the letter of support has already been submitted to the Lt Governor. AAP has one MLA in the JK Assembly.”
AAP’s candidate Mehraj Malik secured a win in the Doda seat during the Assembly polls, marking the party’s debut in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
The JK National Conference won 42 seats in the elections, while their Congress partners secured six. Additionally, four out of six Independent candidates have also pledged their support to the JKNC-Congress alliance.
On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra confirmed that Congress would submit a letter of support to the National Conference by the evening to solidify the government formation.
Karra mentioned that a legislature party meeting was scheduled for 3 p.m., during which a resolution would be passed and sent to the party high command in New Delhi for final decisions regarding the coalition government. He added that while the Congress currently has no specific demands, these would be raised after the government is in place.
Earlier, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, chosen as the head of the party’s legislative group, said they were awaiting Congress’s letter of support. Once received, they would meet with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to formally stake a claim for government formation.
The National Conference and Congress had formed a pre-poll alliance, with NC winning 42 seats and Congress securing six. Additionally, four Independent candidates have thrown their support behind the alliance.
