Alliance with NC forged under national compulsion, for betterment of people: Karra

Says Rahul Gandhi to visit J&K on September 4

Srinagar: Days after the pre-poll alliance and seat sharing was finalized between National Conference and Indian National Congress INC), the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president, Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday said that the alliance forged under the national compulsion and for the betterment of the people here.Furthermore, the JKPCC Chief also confirmed the visit of All India Congress Committee AICC) leader, Rahul Gandhi to Jammu and Kashmir on September 04.Karra while speaking to the reporters during the joining of Irfan Hafiz Lone and former Kokernag MLA Abdul Rahim Rather in the partyfold, said that the party will become stronger in the future, but this time the alliance was forged under the national compulsion and for the betterment of people in Jammu and Kashmir.Karra further informed the reporters that Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir on September 4 to address the gathering in Banihal and Dooru constituencies.From Banihal, the INC has fielded former PCC president Vikar Rasool Wani while from Dooru former PCC president and incumbent AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir have been given the mandate.Confirming Rahul’s visit, Karra said he is arriving on September 4 and will have two programs in a day, one in Jammu division and another in Kashmir. Karra said a program will be held in Banihal and another in Dooru.Similarly, this visit will be Gandhi’s second trip to Kashmir in two weeks, following his earlier visit with AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on August 22.During that visit, Gandhi announced a strategic alliance with the National Conference (NC), affirming that Congress’s interests would be safeguarded within the coalition.Both the parties have joined hands for the 90-seat J&K Assembly elections, though they will compete for five seats.On August 30, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah commented on the difficulties of forming the alliance, acknowledging the necessary compromises but underscoring the importance of a united front against the BJP in the upcoming elections—(KNO)