Rahul Gandhi, Abdullahs discuss pre-poll alliance over dinner in Srinagar hotel

Srinagar, Aug 21: Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s arrival in Srinagar on Wednesday has added fuel to the politics as hectic parleys are on to forge a tripartite alliance against BJP in J&K. Rahul met Abdullahs in Srinagar to give final touches to alliance proposals while as Congress is also in touch with the PDP.

Reliable sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a high-level alliance meeting with NC president Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and other senior leaders at a Srinagar hotel, where they also had dinner together this evening.

The meeting was aimed to clear roadblocks and strengthen ties between the two parties, a source told KNO. Besides Omar and Farooq, the meeting was attended by senior leaders from both parties.

“Discussions focused on forging a united fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party and addressing disagreements over some key seats in Kashmir and Jammu region,” said a senior Congress leader wishing anonymity.

He said the parties also explored possibilities of seat-sharing and joint campaigning.

“This alliance would be a new chapter in our collective fight for the rights and dignity of the people of J&K and against divisive and communal forces,” said an NC leader, who was present in themeeting, adding that “its time to put a united fight against the BJP in J&K.”

He sald reach out , we will work towards a brighter future for the region and ensure that the voices of the people are heard,” he added.

The announcement in this regard is expected to be made on Thursday.

Earlier, Omar who was in New Delhi, arrived in Srinagar today to hold the deliberations with Gandhi and Kharge.

Top Congress leaders arrived here this afternoon and were given a warm reception by the workers and leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).

Meanwhile, a Congress functionary privy to the developments said that Gandhi and Kharge would reach out to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to explore the possibility of a bigger “tripartite alliance” between Congress, NC, PDP, and other smaller parties, which ate constituents of opposition INDIA bloc.

“There is a high possibility that Rahul ji may meet PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti or at least talk to her to forge bigger alliance under coalition dharma of INDIA alliance,” he claimed. Rahul’s entry into the J&K’s political arena has indeed given a new impetus to the political parties interested in keeping the BJP at bay.

Rahul is expected to address media tomorrow where he would explain the progress made on alliance talks with NC and PDP.