Thu Oct 23 16:07:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have announced their support for the ruling National Conference (NC) in the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-elections. This support aims to prevent the BJP from gaining seats. The Congress, despite differences with the NC, prioritizes unity and secular principles. The PDP is offering its support in exchange for the passage of the Land Rights Bill and the Daily Wager Regularisation Bill. The current assembly composition suggests the NC could win three seats, with the BJP potentially securing the fourth. Independents and smaller parties hold the key to the remaining seats.

News Article:

J&K Political Alliance Solidifies as Congress, PDP Back NC in Rajya Sabha By-Elections

Srinagar, October 23, 2025 – In a significant political development, the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have extended their support to the ruling National Conference (NC) ahead of tomorrow’s by-elections for the four Rajya Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir. The move is widely seen as a strategic effort to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from making gains in the region.

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra stated that the decision was made to uphold the party’s commitment to secular values and to prioritize unity over division, especially given the sensitive situation in the state. “We have decided to keep our differences with the NC on the back burner to reaffirm our commitment to our own ethos and principles,” Karra said. He affirmed that all six Congress MLAs would support the NC’s candidates.

The PDP, holding three seats in the assembly, also pledged its support to the NC. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti explained that her party would cast its votes for NC candidate Shammi Oberoi as a third preference to prevent a BJP victory. However, this support comes with a condition: the PDP expects the NC to back the Land Rights Bill and the Daily Wager Regularisation Bill currently under consideration in the Assembly. “NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah called me and asked for our party’s support. I told him that we need two bills to be passed in the Assembly first,” Mufti said.

The current political arithmetic suggests that the NC is poised to win three of the four Rajya Sabha seats. The BJP is expected to secure the fourth. With the Budgam and Nagrota seats currently vacant, the 90-member J&K Legislative Assembly comprises 88 legislators. The NC-Congress alliance commands the largest bloc with 52 MLAs.

The positions of independents and smaller parties, including the J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC), the Awami Ittehad Party, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), remain crucial for determining the outcome of the remaining seats. The JKPC has announced it will abstain, while the AAP MLA, Mehraj Malik, currently incarcerated, is expected to be provided with a ballot box.

The NC has issued a strict whip to its MLAs, demanding they attend and vote according to party directions. The party has fielded candidates for all four seats, while the BJP has nominated three. The by-elections are being closely watched as they will provide a significant indicator of the shifting political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.

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