KL Report
SRINAGAR
As the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declared its candidates for the two out of three Parliamentary seats in Kashmir valley, the National Conference seems caught in the choice of candidates mainly revolving closely around their chances of win
Speaking to KNS, Dr Farooq Abdullah, president National Conference and union minister said: “We haven’t decided yet on the candidates for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections. We have a number of leaders and let us see.”
The NC president also informed that his party is also yet to decide whether to go for pre poll alliance with Congress or not. “We have not talked on this issue also,” Dr Farooq told KNS from Delhi.
With the Parliamentary elections scheduled to take place next year, the political mainstream in the state seem to be gearing up to reach out to the people. Unlike the PDP and National Panthers Party who have already declared candidates for forthcoming parliamentary polls, the two coalition partners National Conference and the Congress have kept their cards close to their chest.
But the insiders in Congress told KNS that the party has decided to stress its coalition partner to give one parliamentary seat in Valley to it in the forthcoming elections. Talking to KNS, minister for tourism G A Mir had on November 22 said: tourism said: “There is a general feeling among our workers who have a pressing demand that the party should get its share in parliamentary seats of Kashmir valley. Our Panchs and Sarpanchs want Congress should lead and have representation in Kashmir.”
Mir had also stated: “I also as a Congress worker demand the same keeping in view the bitter experience we had in Ladakh last time. In Ladakh we got an official mandate but a dummy candidate was fielded and he was owned after the results came out and he is now counted as an NC MP. We want that episode should not a ripple effect. If at all there is an alliance, we will surely press for one Parliamentary seat in Kashmir valley.”
On the other PDP on November 21, nominated party president, Mehbooba Mufti as the party’s candidate for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, while the senior party leader and former finance minister, Tariq Hameed Karra was nominated as the party candidate from Srinagar parliamentary constituency.
Similarly, NPP also nominated Mohammad Rafiq Shah, MLC as the party candidate for parliamentary elections from Baramulla parliamentary constituency.
