 >>> Vikar Rasool, NC’s Sajjad Shaheen file nomination papers
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 27: A friendly contest between the National Conference and Congress on the Banihal assembly segment is a clear indication that the leadership of the Grand Old Party failed to protect the political interests of its former president Vikar Rasool Wani.
Sources said that Vikar Rasool Wani, who was unceremoniously removed as J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief on August 16, tried his best to avoid a friendly contest at the Banihal assembly which had won in 2008 and 2014 assembly elections but failed in his effort.
Sources said that instead of protecting the political interests of the former party president, Congress leaders, engaged in dialogue with the National Conference leadership, have allowed a friendly on the Banihal assembly seat.
Sources said that it was the result of the infighting within the party that some senior leaders failed to a take tough stand on the Banihal seat.
Important to mention here that the Banihal assembly segment was never a stronghold of th Vikar Rasool Wani, who was unceremoniously removed as J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief on August 16, tried his best to avoid a friendly contest at the Banihal seat.
Wani had won in 2008 and 2014 assembly elections but failed in his effort.
Instead of protecting Wani's political interests Congress leaders, engaged in dialogue with the NC leadership.
Banihal assembly segment was never a stronghold of NC . In the 1996 and 2002 assembly elections, this seat was won by Independent candidates, while Wani won this seat in two successive elections in 2008 and 2014.
Vikar Rasool Wani has won this seat in two successive elections in 2008 and 2014.
Meanwhile, Wani on Tuesday filed his nomination papers for the Banihal assembly segment. National Conference candidate Sajjad Shaheen also filed his papers for the same seat.
As reported earlier, after a week-long of hectic discussions, the National Conference and Congress finally sealed a deal for jointly contesting the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday
Although both parties arrived at a consensus on 85 of the total 90 seats, there would be a friendly contest on the remaining five assembly segments.
As per the agreement, the National Conference will contest 51 of the 90 available seats, while the Congress will field candidates in 32 constituencies. One seat will be allocated to the CPI-M and Panthers Party respectively.
Additionally, five seats will feature friendly contests between the two parties. | 