Can't forecast things that will follow J&K polls: Tariq Hameed Karra on possibility of National Conference CM

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra discusses assembly polls, statehood, and alliance dynamics in interview.

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday (September 8, 2024) said the Assembly polls are not just about forming a government or adjusting leaders in the dispensation but about “restoration of Statehood and powers of the Assembly” as well as “our lost dignity”.

Mr. Karra was also non-committal on whether the Chief Minister would be from the National Conference (NC) in case the Congress-NC alliance wins the polls, saying “we can’t forecast things that have to follow after the election”.

In an interview with PTI, Mr. Karra exuded confidence that the Congress-NC combine would form the government crossing the magic mark in the 90-member Assembly, and the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would not be able to hamper their chances much.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief also asserted that the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) is a “closed case” and “doesn’t have a future”.

“I have been on record to say that as far as DPAP is concerned, it is a closed case now. Whatever they had been doing was to cause fragmentation which they failed in. So I don’t think they have any future anymore,” he said.

When asked whether it was a foregone conclusion that the Chief Minister would be from the party, with the NC being the senior partner in the alliance, Mr. Karra said, “We have an understanding as far as going into elections is concerned. We have a seat arrangement which we call as pre-poll alliance but the result would speak for itself that what would follow. We can’t forecast about things which have to follow after the elections.”

On whether he was in the chief ministership, Mr. Karra said, “You can’t say it now.” The NC and the Congress have agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement for the 90 Assembly seats, with the NC set to contest 51 of them and the Congress 32. They are having a friendly fight on a few seats.