Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, senior Congress leader and MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, has denied reports of friction within the National Conference-Congress (NC-Congress) alliance, despite the Congress party’s ambiguous stance on critical issues such as the restoration of Article 370.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Mir addressed the media in Srinagar, asserting that the coalition remains intact, with a mutual understanding of shared priorities. He reiterated Congress’ commitment to restoring statehood to the region, emphasizing that “the resolution passed in the Assembly reflects the people’s mandate and must be honored by the Indian government.” Mir affirmed that the coalition government would not retract its support, having contested elections together.

Mir pointed to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s parliamentary assurance that statehood would be restored following delimitation and elections, noting that “all these stages have been completed, and now New Delhi must engage with elected representatives to ensure the swift restoration of statehood.” He urged that the process should be expedited similarly to the 2019 revocation of the region’s statehood.

Nonetheless, a divergence exists between the NC and Congress regarding Article 370, with Mir acknowledging that “neither we will become NC, nor will they become Congress,” indicating that each party maintains its distinct ideological position. Observers highlight that the ambiguity regarding Article 370 remains a sensitive issue for the alliance, as both parties cautiously navigate the political landscape of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, they note that the people of Kashmir focus primarily on their right to self-determination, as promised by the United Nations.