Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 8: Amid intense campaigning for the high-stakes byelections to the Nagrota and Budgam Assembly seats, signs of strain have emerged within the ruling coalition in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Congress party launching its own nationwide “Vote Chori” campaign instead of joining its ally, the National Conference (NC), on the campaign trail.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra today kick-started the “Vote Chori” campaign in Jammu by flagging off a vehicle carrying signatures collected from across the Union Territory to be delivered to the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi.
The initiative is part of the Congress party’s national campaign, spearheaded by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, aimed at highlighting alleged irregularities and misuse of de Signs of strain have emerged within the ruling coalition in J&K, with the Congress party launching its own nationwide “Vote Chori” campaign instead of joining its ally NC on the campaign trail.
The timing of the campaign has triggered speculation about growing unease between coalition partners.
With only a day left before the campaigning period ends, the Congress’s apparent disengagement from NC’s poll activities points to underlying differences between the two parties.
Congress's move is being widely interpreted as another sign of friction within the alliance.
However, the timing of the campaign has triggered speculation about growing unease between coalition partners. Even as the National Conference intensifies its campaign for its candidates in Nagrota and Budgam, Congress leaders have largely stayed away from joint public events and rallies.
Political observers note that with only a day left before the campaigning period ends, the Congress’s apparent disengagement from NC’s poll activities points to underlying differences between the two parties. The visible disconnect, they say, could have implications for coordination and voter perception in the upcoming byelections.
While the Congress maintains that its “Vote Chori” initiative is part of a pre-scheduled national programme, the move is being widely interpreted as another sign of friction within the alliance. | 