KL Report
SRINAGAR
As the third list of National Conference is coming to fore after August 15 with the name of chief minister Omar Abdullah to figure in it, senior NC leaders have proposed nomination of Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar as the party candidate from NC’s strong bastion Ganderbal.
Sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that since Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is dismayed over party’s performance in the assembly segment of Ganderbal and has own much reluctance in contesting from the turf, hectic deliberations are going on within the National Conference wherein name of Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar is strongly being recommended.
If Jabbar’s name is made final, it would be for the first time since 1977 that is after 37 years when any person apart from Abdullah Family will contest from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal.
Son of late Sheikh Abdul Jabbar, a known political activist and associate of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Jabbar junior joined the party along with hundreds of his supporters in August last year.
Describing his entry into the NC as returning home, Jabbar reposed faith in the policy, program of NC and the vision and ability of its leadership.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at that time had expressed hope that young Ishfaq would work with enthusiasm and energy to give flip to the policy program of NC.
Before contesting 2008 elections against NC as a Congress candidate from Ganderbal constituency, Jabbar junior served JKP as sub-inspector. He had secured above 5000 votes in 2008. Had his votes gone in favour of then PDP candidate, Qazi Mohammad Afzal, Omar could have lost the 2008 elections as well to Qazi, who had defeated him from the same constituency in 2002 elections.
Jabbar before leaving Congress last year got angered with Congress as he was not considered for the MLC’s slot when the term of the then Congress MLC from Ganderbal Ali Mohammad Bhat had ended.
The then UPA chairperson and Congress president, Sonia Gandhi had given a personal audience to Jabbar when he went to meet her in New Delhi last time. Meanwhile, when contacted the senior NC leadership remained tight lipped over the nomination of Jabar from Ganderbal stating that the 3rd list will reveal all the facts.
Meanwhile, Jabbar when contacted said that he is working in the party with zeal and zest and whatever role he is given by his party, he will abide by the orders. In the recent past, NC’s general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the party is releasing the 3rd list after August 15 and that Omar’s assembly segment will also be included. Most likely, according to the reports, Omar will contest from Sonawar assembly segment of Srinagar.
