Two BJP candidates, others file papers for Phase-II
*Bulk of nominations expected in last two days
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 3: BJP candidates Thakur Randhir Singh and Mohammed Akram Choudhary from newly created Sunderbani-Kalakote and Gulabgarh seats respectively, former Judge and NC rebel Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, who is son of former NC MLA from Rajouri Aslam Khan and veteran PDP leader late Yashpal Sharma’s son Udeshpal Sharma were among six candidates who filed their nomination papers for Phase-II Assembly elections today.
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Bulk of nomination papers for 11 Assembly constituencies of the Jammu division which will go to polls in second phase on September 25 including that of BJP UT chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera are expected to be filed during last two days as September 5 is last date for nominations.
BJP candidate Thakur Randhir Singh was joined by Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh and party Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Reasi seat Jugal Kishore Sharma at the time of submitting his documents in the office of the Returning Officer.
Randhir Singh is brother of former MLA and NC leader late Rashpal Singh while his main contender will be Rashpal’s son Thakur Yashuvardhan Singh, who is a NC nominee. As per the NC-Congress seat-sharing agreement Sunderbani-Kalakote seat besides Nowshera and Darhal in the district Rajouri have gone to the NC. However, Rajouri and Thannamandi have been left by the NC for the Congress.
Prominent NC leader Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, a former Judge who had taken Voluntarily Retirement and was a prominent National Conference leader, today joined the battle of ballots as an Independent candidate from Thannamandi constituency. Khan’s father Aslam Khan served as MLA from Rajouri segment.
Thannamandi is a newly constituted seat and has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs). Congress has fielded former Minister Shabir Khan while the BJP has given mandate to Mohammad Iqbal Malik from the constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Aslam Khan charged the National Conference with succumbing to external pressure and ignoring dedicated party workers who are leaving the party.
The electoral battle has also become interesting in Poonch-Haveli Assembly constituency with prominent political personality late Yashpal Sharma’s son joining the contest today by filing his nomination papers.
Dr Udeshpal Sharma submitted his document papers to the Returning Officer as an Independent candidate. He has become first candidate from the Poonch district which has three Assembly constituencies including Poonch-Haveli, Mendhar and Surankote, to file his papers.
National Conference has announced the name of former MLA Aijaz Jan while BJP has decided to field Choudhary Abdul Ghani from Poonch constituency. The PDP has announced candidature of District Development Council (DDC) member Shamin Ganaie.
Yashpal Sharma served as Chairman of Poonch Municipality and Member Legislative Council (MLC) from the PDP. His brother Sunil Sharma was last Chairman of Poonch Municipal Council. Udeshpal Sharma is Chairman YTS Foundation.
In Reasi district, Mohammad Akram Choudhary, BJP candidate filed his nomination papers for Gulabgarh seat while Khema Dubey wife of BJP candidate from Reasi segment Kuldeep Raj Dubey submitted her documents as supporting candidate of the party.
An Independent candidate Sham Singh filed papers for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi seat in Reasi.
NC has fielded Engineer Rashid from Gulabgarh which is ST Reserve seat and has gone to the NC as per NC-Congress alliance. Congress has given mandate to Mumtaz Khan for Reasi seat and Bhupinder Jamwal from Katra constituency.
A total of 11 seats are going to vote in second phase of polling in Jammu division including Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Reasi and Gulabgarh in Reasi district, Sunderbani-Kalakote, Nowshera, Rajouri, Thannamandi and Darhal in Rajouri district; and Poonch-Haveli, Surankote and Mendhar in Poonch district.
September 5 is last date for filing of nomination papers while scrutiny of the documents will be held the next day. September 9 is last date for withdrawals and voting will be held on September 25.
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