Congress-PDP tussle will impact upper house poll

Fallout of crisis within Cong, PDP is apprehended on coming polls to reach to a consensus for seat sharing, reports Sanjay Khajuria.

The election to the empty seats in Jammu and Kashmir legislative council shall be held on March 5. Though activities have accelerated but the fallout of the recent crisis within the coalition allies Congress and PDP is apprehended on coming polls to reach to a consensus for seat sharing, sources said.

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A general feeling is prevalent that the recent skirmishes between the two major allies that have become apparent after the surrender of security by the PDP high command including ministers and MLAs in reaction to the statement from chief minister on 'demilitarisation.'

Following the recent episode on this February 5, the things has gone more putrid and toxic for the coalition partners especially Congress and the PDP. While the two parties are indulged in the tug of war for their differing ideological stands with smaller factions of the coalition allies looking haplessly but the putting National Conference the strong opposition on the floor on a strong ground.

Though both parties yet are keeping their cards very close to their chest and playing a calculated and well-intended move, political observers felt who are keeping close watch on the ongoing political developments. However sources within the Congress and PDP on proximity but on an authorised anonymity admitted that recent crisis between the two major allies will have its impact on the forthcoming election for the nine seats falling vacant in the Upper House of the state legislature.

It is to mention that Abdul Rashid Dar, Ghulam Rasool Kar, AR Takroo, Brij Mohan Sharma, Mohammed Iqbal Bhat, Nazir Ah Mir, MY Tang, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen and Mohammed Hussain will be retiring from the Upper House on February 20.

Although the coalition was on a wet wicket already since the January with the rat race within the parties witnessing a long list of aspirants but the ongoing bickering between the Congress and the PDP have made the things going bad to worse. It is to mention allies mainly the Congress yet have not reconciled from the shock of cross voting in the election in the Upper House in March 2006, and thus all parties have their cards very close to their chest this time.

Sources in Congress said that the tentative names from the party are MS Niaz, G Hayder Sheikh, Swaran Lata, Indu Pawar, Shiv Dev Singh, Ravinder Sharma spokesperson PCC(I), RS Chib, Janak Raj Gupta, Yash Pal Khajuria, Dharam Pal Sharma and many others. While for Doda (reserve) seat the name of MS Niaz has been as the front runner from Jammu at the same time Rajouri though unreserved but has traditionally has candidate from Rajouri for the last four decades has weighed down its balance towards Ravinder Sharma, sources said.

While sources in PDP told hesitatingly that perhaps the names for the said polls will be discussed in the coming Political Affairs Committee Meeting scheduled on Saturday on February 10. However they rejected speculations aired in political circles that the 'demilitarisation issue and its aftermath' of February 5 will have its impact on the seat sharing between the coalition.

E-mail Sanjay Khajuria: sanjaykhajuria@gmail.com