We are part of alliance but no MLA to take oath today in J&K: Congress leader

Bharat Singh Solanki said talks are ongoing within the Congress about whether the party would support the National Conference as part of the government or from outside as an ally. 

In Short

• Talks ongoing about Congress supporting National Conference government
• Congress likely to support NC from outside
• Congress and NC fought J&K polls together, NC won 42 seats

Congress leader Bharat Singh Solanki has said that no Congress MLA would be taking oath today when National Conference leader Omar Abdullah takes oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that talks are ongoing within the Congress about whether the party would support the NC as part of the government or from outside as an ally.

Congress and the National Conference fought the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls together. The former managed six seats while the NC emerged as the single largest party, winning 42 seats.

Solanki said that talks between the parties are currently underway and a result would be announced soon. He also reaffirmed that Congress continues to be a part of the alliance.

His remark comes amid reports that Congress and the National Conference haven't discussed the possibility of the former joining the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources claim that Congress would prefer to support the National Conference from outside and keep the alliance together.

Sources claim Congress would prefer to support the National Conference government from outside to present a united front as the dates of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly polls were announced on Tuesday.

There was reportedly an understanding between the two parties that Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra would take oath as minister if the party joins the National Conference to form a coalition government. However, with Omar Abdullah's swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 11.30 am on Wednesday, the possibility of a coalition government seems unlikely.