Congress gets Ladakh seat to contest

“Almost it has been decided that Congress will contest from Ladakh as the National Conference candidate today filed papers from Anantnag LoK Sabha seat,” the party spokesman in Srinagar said. “The official announcement could be made any time after senior NC and Congress leaders will be meeting in New Delhi tonight,” he said.

Congress high command has short listed names of former Member of Parliament P Namlagyal and Ghulam Hassan Commander for the Ladakh seat. Also the name of former minister Haji Nisar who unsuccessfully contested assembly elections from Kargil is under consideration for the seat,however,his chances are bleak.

The coordination committee comprising senior NC and Congress had met in Srinagar last week,however,the meeting remained inconclusive as both the coalition parties were adamant on contesting from the Ladakh seat.

Sources said that in last week’s meeting Ladakh parliamentary seat became the bone of contention between the two coalition partners. While,NC Conference that had won two assembly seats in Ladakh and also had an understanding with the Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) was in favour of contesting from Ladakh. On the other hand,Congress that won Leh assembly constituency and has support base in all the pockets of Ladakh and Kargil districts asked National Conference leaders to leave the seat for the party. Sources said that finally NC leadership decided to give Ladakh seat to Congress and contest from Anantnag as the Congress leadership starting insisting on Anantnag seat as the party had won two assembly seats from Anantnag and National Conference had only secured one seat.

Congress leaders said that the party will field its candidate from the Ladakh with support from the National Conference. Senior NC leader Mehboob Beig also filed his nomination papers from the Anantang parliamentary constituency. Besides,NC leaders,Beig were accompanied by Congress leaders.