Rajya Sabha polls: Seat-sharing standoff continues between NC, Congress

Srinagar, Oct 11: The ‘standoff’ within the ruling alliance continues over the seat-sharing arrangement for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. While the National Conference is offering the ‘risky’ seat to the Congress, the latter is pushing for one of the ‘safer’ seats.
Sources said that during negotiations with the Congress high command, the National Conference offered the competitive seat to its alliance partner. However, the Congress is insisting on one of the three safer seats for its candidate.
Sources further said that the Congress may choose not to contest the ‘risky’ seat if NC remains adamant about its offer, given that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a clear advantage on it.
“Talks between the leadership of both parties are still underway. The Congress may opt to stay away from the contest if they don’t concede a safer seat,” sources said.
Senior Congress leader GA Mir said there is no clarity yet on the slot on which the party will contest.
“We had requested that the Congress nominee file nomination papers against the first or second notification (safe seats), but there is no clarity yet on the issue,” he said, adding that talks are underway.
“We are expecting that there will be clarity on the issue by tonight or by tomorrow afternoon,” Mir added.
The National Conference on Friday announced the candidature of Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Sajad Kichloo, and Shammi Oberoi.
While the alliance is expected to comfortably win three seats, the BJP holds an advantageous position on the fourth. The alliance has 24 votes, whereas the BJP commands 28 votes. (KNO)