AAP extends support to National Conference government in J&K, snubs Congress

PTC Web Desk: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to support the incoming National Conference (NC) government in Jammu and Kashmir, according to a statement from the party. Mehraj Malik, AAP's sole MLA from the Doda constituency, has submitted a letter of support to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

While this additional seat will not alter the majority status of Chief Minister-elect Omar Abdullah—who already has backing from four independents, securing 46 seats in the 90-member Assembly—it signifies AAP's preference for the NC over its alliance with the Congress, highlighting the Congress' diminishing influence.

The NC-Congress alliance defied exit poll predictions to secure victory in the Jammu and Kashmir elections. The NC won 42 of the 90 Assembly seats, but it was the Congress' poor performance—managing just six seats compared to 12 in the previous election—that drew attention.

The Congress' weak showing has drawn sharp criticism from allies, particularly following its disappointing results in the Haryana Assembly  elections. This has raised concerns about the Congress' leadership within the INDIA bloc.

Shiv Sena (UBT), a bloc member, delivered a pointed critique of the Congress' handling of the Haryana elections, blaming the party's leadership in Delhi for not managing state leader Bhupinder Hooda and failing to reach seat-sharing agreements with allies like AAP and the Samajwadi Party. According to the Sena (UBT), this failure may have cost the Congress a victory that was within its reach in Haryana.

AAP's decision to back the National Conference in J&K—rather than the INDIA bloc—further underscores tensions within the alliance, with allies voicing frustration over the Congress' inability to finalise seat-sharing arrangements. This comes as preparations are underway for the upcoming Maharashtra elections, where Shiv Sena (UBT), the Congress, and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar are expected to contest together.