JAMMU:The Congress has decided not to contest the Nagrota assembly by-election in Jammu and Kashmir, even though the National Conference has offered it the seat.

Both the coalition partners had fought last year’s assembly elections together but the alliance has been going through a rough patch ever since the National Conference (NC) refused a safe seat to the Congress for the Rajya Sabha elections. Elections to the four Rajya Sabha seats in the Union Territory will be held on October 24.

Bypolls are scheduled for Nagrota and Budgam assembly segments on November 11.