Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 9: As the high-voltage campaign for the Nagrota and Budgam Assembly by-elections ended on Sunday evening, political circles were abuzz with speculation over the Congress Party’s conspicuous absence from the electioneering scene.
The silence and distance maintained by the grand old party have not only raised eyebrows but also hinted at a simmering rift within the ruling coalition of the National Conference (NC) and the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to political insiders, the Congress’s decision to stay away from canvassing for the NC candidates was not a matter of oversight but a deliberate political signal. The move reflects growing dissatisfaction within the Congress over the way the coalition has functioned in recent months, particularly in seat-sharing arrangements and nomination processes for key positions.
As reported earlier, the NC had offered the Nagrota Assembly seat to its coalition partner in a gesture of alliance unity. However, the Congress leadership declined the proposal and chose not to field a candidate, citing internal considerations. Sources within the party revealed that the rejection stemmed from resentment over the National Conference’s reluctance to allocate a “safe seat” to the Congress during the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections. This per The silence and distance maintained by the Congress have not only raised eyebrows but also hinted at a simmering rift within the ruling coalition.
The Congress’s decision to stay away from canvassing for the NC candidates was not a matter of oversight but a deliberate political signal.
The move reflects growing dissatisfaction within the Congress over the way the coalition has functioned.
Congress leaders have been saying that they feel “sidelined” and the leadership will be taking a final call on alliance soon.
Congress leaders, speaking off the record, said the party felt “sidelined” by the NC’s dominant approach in the alliance and is reassessing its long-term strategy in Jammu and Kashmir. The leadership is reportedly waiting for the outcome of the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections before taking a final call on whether to continue its partnership with the NC or adopt a more independent political stance in the Union Territory.
Political observers believe the Congress’s aloofness from the by-election campaign could mark the beginning of a new phase in J&K’s coalition politics.
“The Congress’s non-participation is not a coincidence; it’s a message,” said a senior political analyst. “It reflects a growing realization within the party that it cannot continue playing a secondary role under the shadow of the National Conference.”
The Nagrota by-election, which witnessed a spirited contest between the BJP and NC, and the Budgam seat, where multiple regional players are in the fray, have both been seen as significant tests of strength for the ruling alliance.
The Congress’s absence from the campaign trail has therefore added an element of uncertainty about the future of the NC-Congress relationship, which has been crucial in maintaining political stability in the Union Territory. | 