Jammu: After deciding not to contest Rajya Sabha elections, the Congress tonight left Nagrota and Budgam Assembly seats for the National Conference, which has already named Agha Syed Mehmood for Budgam seat.
October 20 is last date for filing nomination papers for Nagrota and Budgam seats, the by-elections for which will be held on November 11.
Congress leaders said taking into account broader parameters and principles of the coalition, the Central leadership of the Indian National Congress has decided to leave Nagrota seat for its ally-the National Conference in large interests and goals to defeat the BJP.
They said a decision to this effect was taken after detailed deliberations over report of the JKPCC and taking into account various factors including the fact that in 2024 Assembly elections, NC candidate had polled more votes than Congress in Nagrota seat.
The Congress has also decided to leave Budgam seat for the NC.
Both NC and Congress had contested Nagrota seat on friendly basis though they had reached pre-poll alliance on most of the seats excepting five during the Assembly elections last year.
However, the National Conference hasn’t named its candidate for Nagrota seat though October 20 is last date for filing nomination papers.
BJP had fielded Devyani Rana from Nagrota who is daughter of Devender Singh Rana, the party stalwart who won the seat by over 30,000 votes in September-October, 2024 Assembly elections.
The seat fell vacant following sudden demise of Devender Rana.
