SRI NAGAR: The growing popularity of the BJP in Jammu has prompted the J&K Congress to re-think forging pre-poll or tactical alliance with its ally National Conference (NC), for the forthcoming Assembly elections.
A senior Congress leader, pleading anonymity, said the party leaders were worried about the in-roads made by the BJP in Jammu Province.
“There is a strong BJP wave in most parts of Jammu, and ahead of the polls, the Modi Government may announce some special packages to woo more people,” the Congress leader said, adding that the party has also made in-roads in the areas considered to be strongholds of the Congress.
“If the NC and Congress don’t forge pre-poll alliance, or make any arrangements for the Assembly elections, then both parties may be routed,” the Cong leader added.
The BJP has 11 members in the 87-member J&K Assembly. In the Parliamentary elections held here recently, the BJP was ahead in 29 Assembly segments in Jammu province and Ladakh. The BJP had won two Lok Sabha seats from Jammu province, and another from Ladakh.
The Cong leader further revealed that the leadership of both parties were worried about the BJP’s growing popularity, and both camps were holding deliberations within their parties over the pros and cons of forging alliance. The NC has also not closed the option of forging alliance with Congress.
The Congress leader also said the state party leaders had already briefed Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi about the views and aspirations of the workers and leaders.
Sources said Sonia had a meeting with J&K Chief Minister and NC working president, Omar Abdullah in Delhi on Sunday.