Congress Keeps ‘All Options Open’ for J&K Bypolls

Party weighs alliance dynamics and statehood push ahead of November elections

By: Javid Amin | 18 October 2025

The Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has announced that it is exploring “all possible options” for fielding candidates in the upcoming Assembly by-elections for Budgam (Kashmir) and Nagrota (Jammu), scheduled for November 11, 2025.

While the statement may sound routine, insiders and analysts view it as part of a larger recalibration of Congress’s political strategy in the Union Territory — one that balances coalition arithmetic with grassroots revival under its renewed “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” (Our State, Our Right) campaign.

Strategic Context: More Than Just Two Seats

The bypolls might only involve two constituencies, but their symbolic and strategic weight is far greater.

• Budgam (Central Kashmir): Traditionally a National Conference (NC) bastion, but with shifting loyalties among younger voters and urban elites.

• Nagrota (Jammu region): Considered semi-urban, politically diverse, and electorally competitive — where both BJP and Congress have strong local networks.

For Congress, the question isn’t just whether to contest, but how to contest: alone, jointly with NC, or as part of a wider anti-BJP front in the lead-up to the 2026 full Assembly elections.

Congress’s Ambiguous but Calculated Message

Announcing the party’s stance, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra told reporters in Srinagar:

“The Congress is considering all possibilities. The final decision will rest with the party high command. Our goal remains clear — restoration of statehood and safeguarding democratic rights.”

Sources within the JKPCC suggest that consultations are ongoing with both the AICC (All India Congress Committee) leadership and local NC counterparts to assess electoral equations and public mood before a formal declaration next week.

A senior Congress functionary from Jammu said, on condition of anonymity:

“Nagrota is winnable if we mobilize early. But Budgam needs a united secular platform to counter regional fragmentation.”

NC-Congress Alliance: Pragmatism Meets Pressure

The National Conference has already confirmed its intention to field a candidate in Budgam, where it enjoys a historical edge. However, NC has extended “reciprocal support” to Congress in Nagrota should the party decide to contest.

This signals continued coordination between the alliance partners that jointly govern J&K since 2024, despite occasional strains over policy direction and resource sharing.

Political observers, however, note that the by-election calculus may test that alliance:

“The NC wants to consolidate its Valley base, while Congress aims to revive itself in Jammu. Both have complementary interests, but overlapping ambitions,” says Dr. Hilal Naqash, political analyst at Central University of Kashmir.
“How they manage these small contests will reveal how stable the coalition really is.”

Alliance Arithmetic: A Tightrope Walk

If Congress Contests Nagrota:

• Gains a symbolic foothold in Jammu’s semi-urban electorate.

• Strengthens its image as a pan-regional player, not just a junior Valley ally.

• Risks vote division if coordination with NC and PDP is weak.

If Congress Also Enters Budgam:

• Sends a message of organizational independence.

• But may strain ties with NC, which views Budgam as its stronghold.

• Could split anti-BJP, anti-Apni Party votes — benefitting smaller regional outfits.

Thus, the “open options” declaration gives Congress breathing room — politically cautious yet strategically flexible.

“Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq”: Beyond Electoral Optics

Parallel to its poll deliberations, Congress has revived its public outreach campaign titled “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq”, demanding:

• Full restoration of J&K’s statehood

• Protection of land and job rights for locals

• Early Assembly elections for full democratic representation

Through rallies, workshops, and block-level meetings, the campaign seeks to reclaim Congress’s moral high ground as a constitutionalist voice amid regional polarization.

Tariq Karra, who spearheaded the initiative, said the campaign is “not just political mobilization but a rights-based movement.”

Party insiders admit the effort is also aimed at reviving the cadre base, especially in rural Jammu and South Kashmir, where the party’s organizational structure has weakened post-2019.

Reading Between the Lines: National Context Matters

The Congress’s bypoll decision is closely tied to its national strategy post the 2024 General Election, in which it regained significant ground across northern India but remained weak in J&K due to regional realignments.

The AICC leadership, particularly Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, is keen on expanding Congress’s independent footprint in the Union Territory — balancing cooperation with NC while asserting identity ahead of 2026.

A senior party strategist in Delhi said:

“The message from the high command is clear — don’t be invisible. The alliance is valuable, but visibility is non-negotiable.”

This perspective explains why JKPCC has publicly kept its options open rather than declaring unconditional support to NC candidates.

The Shadow of the BJP

While the NC-Congress alliance debates coordination, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is quietly preparing a high-voltage campaign in Nagrota — a constituency it narrowly lost in 2014 but has since expanded its base through development projects and local outreach.

BJP J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur said:

“People are tired of dynastic politics. The Congress and NC are stuck in nostalgia, not governance. The BJP will contest both seats and expose their failures.”

Analysts predict Nagrota could see a three-cornered contest, with BJP targeting nationalist and developmental narratives, while Congress emphasizes statehood and inclusion.

In Budgam, the BJP’s presence is limited, but smaller parties like the Apni Party and Peoples Conference could split opposition votes — indirectly benefiting NC.

Ground Mood: Between Skepticism and Curiosity

In Budgam, residents express skepticism toward both major parties, citing unmet promises and power tariff controversies.

Shabir Ahmad, a teacher from Chadoora, said:

“NC leaders come during elections, but we still face power cuts and joblessness. Congress talking about statehood is fine, but we want solutions, not slogans.”

In Nagrota, however, the political climate feels more competitive.
Local trader Rakesh Sharma observed:

“If Congress brings a strong face here, they can challenge BJP. People remember the old Congress days — development, not division.”

Such sentiments highlight the fluidity of voter mood and the potential volatility of the bypoll outcome.

Analytical Take: What’s at Stake for Congress

1. Symbolic Comeback:
   Winning even one of the two seats would help Congress project itself as revived and relevant in post-Article 370 politics.

2. Alliance Negotiation Power:
   A strong performance gives Congress greater leverage within the NC-led coalition.

3. Grassroots Reconnection:
   The bypoll campaign offers a real-time test of the “Hamari Riyasat” narrative’s resonance.

4. Message to the Centre:
   A confident showing reinforces Congress’s call for statehood restoration and democratic normalcy — cornerstones of its current UT agenda.

Timeline: Bypoll & Political Calendar

Outlook: Between Revival and Relevance

As the Congress deliberates, every move carries layered significance — not only for its immediate electoral prospects but for its ideological repositioning in Jammu & Kashmir’s evolving political map.

“The bypolls are not about numbers — they’re about narratives,” says Dr. Sameer Bhat, political sociologist.
“If Congress plays this right, it can revive its base. If not, it risks remaining a supporting actor in its own coalition.”

For now, the party’s cautious phrasing — “keeping all options open” — might be its smartest play.
It keeps doors ajar for alliance coordination, local experimentation, and strategic surprise — vital ingredients in a region where politics, like power supply, often flickers unpredictably.