Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls: National Conference to contest in 51 seats, Congress in 32

Srinagar: The National Conference will contest 51 of 90 seats and Congress 32 according to the seat-sharing pact reached by the two parties for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The two parties will also have a "friendly contest" on five seats. The two parties have left one seat each for CPI(M) and Panthers Party.

Although Rahul Gandhi had initiated alliance talks last week by visiting National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah at his Srinagar residence, no seat-sharing agreement was reached. An agreement was reached on Monday following the discussion held by Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Salman Khurshid with the National Conference leaders in Srinagar. This is the first time since 1987 that both parties have formed an alliance before an election.