Farooq Abdullah announces National Conference's solo contest in upcoming LS elections

In a significant development, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and National Conference chief, Farooq Abdullah, has dealt a blow to the India alliance by declaring that his party will contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections independently.

Expressing his stance on seat sharing discussions, Abdullah asserted that the National Conference would rely on its own strength for the electoral battle. This declaration raises uncertainties for the India alliance, which includes parties like Congress, PDP, National Conference, and Left, as discussions on seat allocations remained inconclusive.

Farooq Abdullah also hinted at the possibility of simultaneous assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir along with the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress has responded to Abdullah's statement, with General Secretary Jairam Ramesh acknowledging the diverse compulsions of different parties within the alliance.

Abdullah's discontent over seat sharing was evident earlier, warning that unresolved issues might lead to the departure of several parties from the alliance. With five Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, the alliance faces challenges as talks regarding seat distribution among parties, including National Conference and PDP, have reached an impasse.