The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced on Friday its decision to support the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) after the NC-Congress alliance secured a majority in the recent assembly elections in the Union Territory. A formal letter of support was submitted to the Lt. Governor.

AAP’s sole representative in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Mehraj Malik, won the Doda constituency, defeating BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana by a margin of 4,538 votes.

The National Conference-Congress alliance won 49 seats in total, with JKNC taking 42 and Congress securing 6. On Thursday, the JKNC unanimously selected Omar Abdullah as the leader of its Legislative Party.

Speaking about his leadership role, Omar Abdullah, vice president of JKNC, expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him by his party members. “The National Conference’s Legislative Party had a meeting and decided on its leader. I am deeply grateful to the National Conference legislators for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to go to Raj Bhavan and stake a claim to form the government,” Abdullah stated.

He also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the Congress to formalize their support. “Talks are continuing to obtain the letter of support from Congress. Additionally, four independent MLAs have extended their backing to the National Conference,” he added.

Abdullah assured that the future government would work for all citizens, including those who supported the BJP or chose not to vote. “We are not the kind to seek revenge on those who didn’t vote for us. The upcoming government will represent the Congress, the National Conference, the BJP, and even those who abstained from voting. In Srinagar, only 20 percent voted—should we ignore the remaining 80 percent? They, too, deserve the benefits of governance. Similarly, the people of Jammu, who voted for the BJP, also have the right to benefit from the government,” Abdullah said.
(ANI)