NC–Congress Tensions Surface During Pre‑Budget Strategy Meet

Jammu: In a clear indication of strain within the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress party on Monday openly conveyed its dissatisfaction with what it described as the National Conference (NC)'s failure to uphold coalition discipline.

While reiterating its public commitment to the alliance, the Congress underlined that it would continue to raise governance‑related concerns independently, including its criticism of what it terms the Centre’s “step‑motherly treatment” toward J&K in recent Union Budget allocations and, more importantly, the statehood restoration demand.

The rift became visible during a joint strategy meeting called to coordinate the alliance’s approach for the budget session that began here earlier during the day. Convened at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Jammu residence on Monday evening, the meeting quickly devolved into a contentious exchange between the partners. In a move widely interpreted as a signal of its unease, the Congress deputed only its chief whip, Nizamuddin Bhat, to attend, while five other MLAs—including PCC president Tariq Hamid Karra and senior leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir—opted to stay away.

According to sources, Bhat informed the NC leadership—among them its president Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, NC MLAs and allied independents—that Congress was uncomfortable with the existing post‑poll working arrangement. He is believed to have criticised the NC for not demonstrating adequate seriousness regarding the restoration of statehood. He also flagged the lack of coordination between the partners during the Rajya Sabha elections and in shaping the government’s strategy on issues concerning the Centre.

These remarks reportedly provoked a sharp reaction from NC leaders, who defended their approach on the grounds that maintaining constructive Centre–State relations was essential for the administration’s functioning. The Chief Minister is understood to have conveyed to Bhat that political disagreements could not override the practical requirements of governance, adding that the NC had conceded the lone Rajya Sabha seat to Congress in 2015 as a gesture of goodwill.

Senior Abdullah, sources said, reminded Congress that the NC had offered the party all Assembly seats in Jammu region during the 2024 elections, although Congress failed to win any.

Relations between the two parties have been strained since last year, when the NC declined to provide Congress with what it considered a “safe” Rajya Sabha seat. Congress, unwilling to contest the seat it viewed as unwinnable, had refused the offer. The latest confrontation has reinforced the perception that the alliance, though intact, is under mounting pressure ahead of crucial legislative business.