Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 25: Purported opinion poll in Jammu and Kashmir by a national media agency has set a cat among Congress pigeons, who were already looking for appropriate opportunity for their better future. The opinion poll, which has predicted only seven seats to Congress party if the Assembly elections are held now, has sent a shock waves to the Congress circles and a warning signal for the party leaders to explore other political options. According to the sources in Congress circles, a number of the party leaders are already in touch with BJP and secret parleys are on for the switching over of their loyalties before the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, which are now likely to coincide with the State Assembly elections in May -June. Amidst speculations that the BJP high command has decided not to repeat maximum of its candidates in the Assembly elections, sources said that several Congress leaders are exploring the possibility of saffron party mandate. A number of these Congress leaders are constantly in touch with the BJP leadership, which is learnt to have assured suitable adjustment of the new entrants. Even as these Congress leaders were insisting for a clear assurance of mandate for their shifting loyalty, they had also not refused the offer and the talks were still on through back door channels, sources said. However, the opinion poll reports have forced these Congress leaders to review their earlier stand of insisting for mandate only and if the sources are to be believed, a number of them may be seen shifting their political affiliation. |