National
Candidates' choice surprises many
By Shujaat Bukhari
JAMMU, JAN. 22. The nomination of candidates for the prestigious Jammu parliamentary constituency by the ruling National Conference, the BJP and the Congress has come as a surprise for the electorate as none of them was seen in the race in any of the elections in the past. The byelection assumes much significance as it is seen as a run-up to the Assembly elections due in next seven months. Six candidates filed their nominations today.
Out of the many choices within two factions of the State BJP unit, Nirmal Singh, its spokesman and a lecturer in Jammu University, has been chosen in view of the serious differences between the faction led by the Union Minister of State, Chaman Lal Gupta, and another led by the State unit president, D.K. Kotwal.
Similarly, in the Congress infighting dominated the issue of nomination. The PCC chief, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, who faces opposition from a strong lobby led by former MP, Mangat Ram Sharma, succeeded in getting through his candidate, Madan Lal Sharma. Also had many candidates in the race.
The former Minister, R.S. Chib, who contested the last parliamentary election, was also among the front-runners, along with Bodh Raj Bali. But the party decided to field a Gujjar leader, Talib Hussain.
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