Azad to contest from Udhampur: Soz

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saif-ud-Din Soz said here on Wednesday that Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to contest from the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saif-ud-Din Soz said here on Wednesday that Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to contest from the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat.

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"As per my understanding, Azad will contest from Udhampur-Kathua Lok Sabha seat. It is expected that the announcement would be made at anytime today", Soz told reporters here.

"There was delay in announcement of candidature for Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh seats. We have not announced any candidate yet. It may be announced anytime today. As JKPCC president, I feel sure that Azad would contest from Udhampur, and Madan Lal Sharma would contest from Jammu," he said.

Soz was replying to questions about delay in announcement of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly with regard to the candidature of Azad.

Replying to another question about Azad's reluctance to contest elections from his native LS constituency of Udhampur-Kathua, the JKPCC chief said, "This is not about putting pressure on Azad. Neither has he been asking for it."

"It was for the first time in Surankote (Poonch district) where he (Azad) said that he was responding to the request (to contest elections from Udhampur LS seat) from his workers. It was enough for me to take a decision, and we have moved in this direction," Soz said.