National Conference Hopes for Congress Joining Jammu and Kashmir Government Soon

All is not well between the ruling National Conference and its government partner Congress in Jammu and Kashmir. While the National Conference has expressed hope that the Congress will soon be a part of the government in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress has categorically denied it for the time being. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surendra Choudhary has expressed hope that the coalition partner Congress will soon be in power in the union territory. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hameed Karra has put to rest speculation about his party joining the cabinet. Tariq Hameed Karra has said, "Restoring statehood is the party's principled stand and it will not compromise on it. If the BJP tries to destabilise the government, the National Conference will side with the Congress." He further said that the Congress has been firm on its principled stand for the past one year and will not join the cabinet unless the central government restores the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Naseer Hussain, general secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, said that the party has not taken any decision regarding it.