Azad not to contest Anantnag seat

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18:  Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad today categorically stated that he has no intentions to contest Lok Sabha election from Anantnag, a seat which will fall vacant when incumbent Lok Sabha member and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti will tender her resignation.
Reacting to the reports, Azad said there has been no such party decision to field him from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat during the by-election.
“The party president (Mrs Sonia Gandhi) has given me so many responsibilities. I have to fulfill them,’’ Azad, who had still about five years of his Rajya Sabha membership, said. He is Rajya Sabha member from Jammu and Kashmir.
After winning Rajya Sabha election from the State in February last year, Azad had been designated as Leader of Opposition.
Meanwhile, Azad today visited the family members of Congress leader and former Minister Dr Romesh Chander Sharma in Nowshera, Rajouri and offered condolences to the family on the death of Sharma.
Azad also met some Congress leaders here before returning to New Delhi.