Srinagar, Oct 17: The leaders of the Kargil alliance, comprising the Indian National Congress and J&K National Conference, on Tuesday announced the formation of the Hill Council on a 50-50 seat-sharing basis.
Addressing a joint press conference in Kargil, leaders from the JKNC and INC revealed that the tenure of chairpersons for the council would be two and a half years each.
Nasir Munshi, the spokesperson for INC, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Hill Council will operate on a shared basis, with the first term granted to NC starting from October 18, 2023, and concluding on April 18, 2026.
He said that two executive councillors would be appointed by each party, ensuring equal representation.
“One of the executive councillor positions, as per LAHDC norms reserved for principal religious minorities, would be granted to NC in the first term, and the second would automatically go to Congress,” he said.
The Congress spokesperson said the departments assigned to the Chairman and Executive Councillors would be equally shared between both parties, saying the move is aimed at ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the Council.
Congress and NC are committed to providing an effective and sustainable council that works for the betterment, development, and welfare of the people of Kargil, he said.
Munshi further said that after the formation of the Executive Council, a Common Minimum Program (CMP) would be drafted and formulated.
The CMP, developed in consultation with the party’s high command, will outline shared goals, priorities, and policies of the coalition for the benefit of Kargil, he said.
This agenda of alliance, mutually agreed upon, was officially signed on October 17, 2023, by members of the coalition coordination committee designated by NC and Congress for the 5th General LAHDC Pre and Post Alliance, the INC spokesperson said.
The coalition, which secured 22 out of the 26 seats, dedicated this victory to the tireless efforts of the workers, party high command, and the people of Kargil.
“The BJP made significant efforts to alter the political landscape in Kargil, but their endeavours were in vain, as the alliance triumphed by the people’s support.
This victory signifies a crucial milestone for the broader INDIA alliance. The win for the INDIA alliance against the BJP at the national level has started from Kargil,” Munshi said.
Senior NC leader Qamar Ali Akhoon, speaking about the party’s decision to nominate the Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) for the first two and a half years, said the decision was taken unanimously by all councillors.
Dr Jaffar Akhoon was unanimously declared councillor of Thasgam Thuvina Constituency, as the CEC candidate from NC for the first two and a half years, Akhoon said.
Congress leader Asghar Karbalai on the occasion stressed the alliance’s seriousness about the upcoming Parliament elections and pledged its support for the four-point agenda raised by the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and Apex Body.
The leadership present at the joint press conference included Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asghar Karbalai, Haji Hanifa Jan, Nasir Munshi, Feroz Khan, newly-elected councillors and several other NC and Congress members.
Earlier in the day, the newly-elected councillors of the 5th General LAHDC took their oath at the Syed Mehdi Auditorium Hall in Kargil.
The politically significant election saw active participation from the top leadership of BJP, Congress, and NC, who campaigned fervently for their respective candidates—(KNO)
