Mandate for NC-Congress alliance is for restoring J&K’s statehood: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], October 9 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has congratulated the National Conference-Congress alliance for its victory in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election and said that the alliance’s mandate is for restoring the “dignity” and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir that the Union government “unjustly stripped away.”

“Congratulations to the JKNC-INC alliance and the people of Jammu & Kashmir on the stupendous victory! This is more than just a win for #INDIA and democracy–it’s a mandate to fulfil the aspirations of restoring the dignity and statehood of Jammu and Kashmir that the Union BJP Government unjustly stripped away,” Stalin posted on X.

“This moment marks the beginning of a just and inclusive future that honours the hopes of every Kashmiri,” he added.

The National Conference-Congress alliance clinched an absolute majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, winning 48 seats in the 90-member assembly.

The National Conference carried the alliance to victory by winning 42 seats in the results declared on Tuesday. Congress could win only six seats. Ninety seats went to the polls in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls. The BJP also put up a strong performance, winning 29 seats.

Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP secured three seats, while Sajad Gani Lone’s People’s Conference and Aam Aadmi Party won one seat each. CPI(M) also won one seat. Independents won seven seats. The BJP got 25.64 per cent vote, followed by the National Conference with 23.43 per cent and Congress with 11.97 per cent.

This was the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and its bifurcation into two Union Territories. This election marked the first time in a decade that J-K voters elected a new Assembly.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the government that will be formed in Jammu and Kashmir has a very big responsibility of inculcating a “sense of belonging” to the people of the valley.

“The government that is formed in the coming days has a very big responsibility of ensuring that the people of Jammu do not feel that this is not their government. Whoever becomes the CM of J&K will have to ensure that the people of Jammu feel a sense of belonging,” said Abdullah.

Abdullah highlighted the need to “build relations” with the centre to “solve problems” of the valley and said that “responsibility has increased.”

“It is the responsibility of the NC-CPM-Congress alliance to stand up to the expectations of the people and work for their welfare. It has now become essential for us to build relations with the centre so that we can solve the problems of J&K. The National Conference has got more votes, and our responsibility has increased,” he said.