Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 4: Notwithstanding the stand taken by some Kashmir-based leaders, the Congress is likely to leave the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat for the National Conference to ensure that the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc remains intact in Jammu and Kashmir.
Highly placed sources said that central leadership of the Congress party was not ready to take confrontation with the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir after developments in West Bengal and Punjab. “Although no final decision has been taken so far, Congress high command has decided to keep the National Conference in good humour so the party is not going to take a tough stand on Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat”, a source said and added that decision on this seat will be taken after taking the National Conference leadership into confidence.
“By surrendering the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, Congress would stake claim on Ladakh Parliamentary seat”, a source said.
Notably Congress lea Cong central leadership not ready to take confrontation with NC after developments in West Bengal and Punjab.
By surrendering the Anantnag-Rajouri LS seat, Cong would stake claim on Ladakh Parliamentary seat.
Jammu-based Cong leaders have suggested LS seats of Kashmir should be given to NC and the party must concentrate on two Jammu seats and lone Ladakh seat.
According to reports, Kashmir-based Congress leaders have opposed any move to leave this prestigious seat for the National Conference under a seat-sharing agreement.
Jammu-based Congress leaders, on the other hand, asked the party to avoid confrontation with the coalition partners and focus only on this part of the Union Territory.
“The Jammu-based Congress leaders on the other hand suggested that Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir Valley should be given to the National Conference and the party must concentrate on only two seats of Jammu and the lone seat of Ladakh”, reports said and added that Jammu-based leaders cautioned that “friendly contest” with the National Conference would result into calk-walk for BJP in Jammu province.
The Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency, which spread in both Jammu and Kashmir regions, became a bone of contention among constituents of the INDIA block in J&K. | 