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| Mehbooba arrives in Rajouri, gets two surprises for party | | Tariq jumps as independent, Zulfikar dominates town with massive rally | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
RAJOURI, Nov 3: As Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti reached Rajouri this afternoon to kick off party campaign for seven constituencies of this twin border district, she had two surprises waiting for her –one pleasant and other unpleasant.
PDP’s candidate for Darhal constituency Choudhary Zulfikar Ali left as aspirants and other parties shell shocked when he took out a massive rally in the town while filing nomination papers. At same time, another senior leader of PDP left the party shocked when he bade it adieu and filed paper as independent candidate for Rajouri constituency.
Former Minister Mohammad Sharief Tariq had left National Conference to join Peoples Democratic Party when he was denied ticket in 2002 elections. Six years later, he met the same fate with PDP. Party denied him ticket and preferred over him Master Tassaduq Hussain who had contested last election on PDP ticket from Darhal. In 2002, Tariq preferred to sit silent when NC shocked him by preferring a little known activist Mohammad Aslam Khan (who later won) over him. But this time Tariq is no mood to back out.
Rajouri and Darhal are among seven constituencies in entire Jammu region where Peoples Democratic Party expects a keen contest and also hopes winning a couple of seats.
Party’s candidate from Darhal constituency, Choudhary Zulfikar Ali had contested 2002 elections from Darhal constituency as an independent candidate but had lost after polling a significant 8000 votes. Later he joined PDP and had been given ticket for the same constituency.
At least 15,000 people today joined Choudhary Zulfikar when he filed his nomination papers before the returning officers here. Though PDP has been working hard in the region, but Zulfikar also carries along the legacy of his father Choudhary Mohammad Hussain who remained a legislator for five times in the same constituency. Choudhary Hussain (who passed away in 2002) is remembered better for his secular and above the board political credentials in this highly caste polarised region.
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti today arrived here to kick start the party campaign for twin border districts. Poonch district with three constituencies is going to polls in first phase on November 17 while Rajouri, having four constituencies is listed for second phase on November 23.
In Poonch the poll campaign has fully picked up after the last date of withdrawal of nominations while in Rajouri the battle lines are yet to be drawn. PDP has declared its candidates for all four constituencies and so has done the National Conference. Congress is yet to announce its nominees. |
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