Differences will not affect poll prospects of National Conference-Congress alliance

Conceding the rift, Jammu and Kashmir Congress today said even though party workers may not be happy with the pre-poll alliance with National Conference, their reservations will not have a "bad effect" and the coalition will win all the six Lok Sabha seats in the state.

JK Pradesh Congress chief Saifuddin Soz assured "full and firm support" to its coalition partner NC.

"Even though Congress workers may not be happy with the decision to have the pre-poll alliance, their reservations will not have a bad effect on NC," Soz said.

"Coalition is not easy, wherever it takes place in the country. There are some difficulties. There may be complaints, but they will have no bearing on the electoral process," he said.

NC and Congress are fighting for three seats each in the six Parliamentary constituencies of the state.

While Congress is fighting two seats in Jammu and one in Ladakh, NC has nominated its candidates for the three constituencies in Kashmir Valley.

"We are satisfied that NC is firmly supporting us in Jammu and Congress will also fully support them in the Valley.

I am sure that we will win all the six seats," Soz told reporters here.

He said though there may be "some differences" between the alliance partners, Congress workers in the Valley will make sure that NC wins all the three seats.

"As we have entered into an alliance for the Parliament elections, I wanted to take into confidence my partymen over the decision of the high command. My workers will have to make sure that the three NC candidates win," he said.

Asked if Congress will continue to have a pre-poll alliance with NC for the Assembly elections scheduled in the state later this year, Soz said the decision would be taken at an appropriate time.

"That cannot be said at this time. I do not have the mandate. I have mandate only for the Parliament elections and I cannot talk about Assembly elections. When that time comes, we will have consultations then and see what happens," he said.