Azad led panel for 3:3 seat sharing formula
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 16: The Congress Election Management Committee led by former Union Minister and senior All India Congress Committee leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad today resolved to stake claim on Jammu-Poonch, Udhampur-Doda and Ladakh Lok Sabha seats and go for 3-3 seat sharing formula with a ‘like- minded regional party’ in the State.
The party sources said that Azad, who is Chairman of the Committee, arrived here this morning on the instructions of the party high command from the Union capital, and had detailed deliberations with the other members of the committee on the election strategy, seat sharing formula, preparations of the party and other vital issues connected with the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Azad also took feed back from the members with regard to Assembly elections and asked them to expedite their activities in their respective area of responsibility and also monitor the activities of other field functionaries in all the districts and blocks/ wards.
The meeting which was held at the official residence of Azad, lasted over two and half hours. Besides Azad, the meeting was attended by PCC president, Ghulam Ahmed Mir, former PCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Tara Chand, Madan Lal Sharma, G M Saroori and Asgar Karabalai. Another member, Tariq Hameed Karra could not attend the meeting due to his pre-engagements in Delhi. After meeting, Azad left for Delhi in the afternoon flight.
Some of the members of the panel on the condition of anonymity told the Excelsior that the members during meeting threadbare discussed over all political scenario in the State and preparedness of the party in view of the forthcoming elections. The committee chalked out strategy for the campaign in three regions of the State and discussed the measures for activating organizational structure so that the party cadre is fully geared up for poll activity.
They said the members during meeting also shared their views on the seat sharing formula and resolved through consensus to go for ‘3-3 seat sharing agreement’ with a like minded regional party, most probably National Conference, in the State for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections out of total six seats.
It was also claimed by majority of the members to stake their claim on Jammu-Poonch, Udhampur- Doda and Ladakh Lok Sabha seats as the party was in strong position in these areas.
Though a few insiders in the party indicated that some Congress leaders from Kashmir were interested to stake claim on Anantnag Lok Sabha seat besides Ladakh and Udhampur-Doda, but majority of the members opined that Congress can comfortably win Jammu-Poonch, Udhampur-Doda and Ladakh seats in alliance with ‘like- minded’ regional party.
They authorised Azad to take up the matter with the party high command and convey their concern.
Meanwhile, PCC chief GA Mir when contacted maintained that meeting of the Election Management Committee under the chairmanship of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad discussed issues regarding election preparedness and possibility of any tie- up with the like- minded forces in the State for a united fight against communal and divisive forces. He said the members shared their views and inputs on seat sharing issue, for the final decisions to be taken by the party high command.
Mir said the top party leadership may decide about the candidates and seats within next couple of days. He said panel for seats has already been forwarded by the State Election Committee to party high command and final decision in this regard is awaited. Mir, however, refused was share the names of the members in the panel.
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