Srinagar, Aug 26: The ruling National Conference (NC) has renewed its offer of a berth to its ally Congress.

Sources said the NC leadership has formally approached the Congress with the offer of allotting a berth in the council of ministers.
“The NC discussed the matter with All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in-charge for Jammu & Kashmir and Rajya Sabha MP, Syed Naseer Hussain. He is understood to have told them that he would respond after consulting the high command,” sources said.
They said during his recent visit to J&K with Divya Maderna, AICC co-incharge for J&K, Hussain is believed to have discussed the proposal with the party leadership.
J&K Congress leadership, however, is understood to have been lukewarm to the proposal and instead pushed for two berths in the council of ministers along with adjustment of its leaders as heads of different boards.
The Congress high command is expected to take a final call on NC’s offer tomorrow.
The Congress had refused to join Omar’s cabinet in October 2024 and linked their joining the cabinet with the restoration of statehood to J&K.
As per the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the council of ministers in the Union Territory can have a maximum of nine members, since its strength shall not exceed 10 percent of the total strength of the Assembly.