Jammu, Feb 23 (KNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Pradesh Congress Chief Saifuddin Soz met here today to discuss the strategy for the upcoming Legislative Council elections in the state.
According to sources, the PCC President Saifuddin Soz and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had an hour long meeting at the latter’s residence, soon after Soz arrived here today after concluding his Delhi visit. “The leaders discussed various aspects and possibilities of the LC elections to be held on March 7â€, the sources said.
Meanwhile, JKPCC President Saiffudin Soz while confirming the meeting claimed that the coalition candidates will register a thumping victory in the LC elections.
“We have decided to hold a meeting of the legislature party of the coalition on March 6. We are sure about sweeping the electionsâ€, he added.
When asked about the possibility of cross voting by some legislators in the upcoming LC elections, the JKPCC President said the coalition had full faith in its legislators.
“There is no possibility of cross voting and a party whip will be issued ahead of the elections. We trust our members and we are confident that there will be no cross votingâ€, Soz said. He said the reserve seat for Doda was already in the pocket of the Congress party.
With two ruling coalition candidates Rani Bloeria and Devender Singh Rana and opposition PDP nominee Yashpal Sharma already having been declared elected unopposed to three seats of Legislative Council (LC) from Jammu region, four seats of Kashmir and one reserved seat of Doda will go to polls on March 7.
Doda seat is sure to go into Congress kitty as ruling coalition has the adequate numbers on its side. The opposition candidate Muhammad Iqbal has only the support of NPP and PDP.
However, the political observers are keeping fingers crossed over the outcome of one of the four seats from the Valley. As per the mathematical calculations, each candidate has to secure at least 18 votes for making it to LC from Kashmir valley. National Conference-Congress coalition has 45 MLAs as such it can sail through on two of the seats. Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party’s lone candidate Naeem Akhtar is also expected to make it as his party has 21 members in the Lower House.
However, Shiban Krishan Dudha, an independent candidate – believed to be backed by PDP and some of the MLAs from yet to be formed third front – has all potential to spurn a surprise from the Valley.
According to reliable sources, Dudha has been able to get the support from the yet to be formed third front including PDF Chariman Hakim Yasin and CPI MLA M Y Tarigami.
Dudha has become a threat for the coalition candidates, as according to sources, he has had a meeting with BJP leader L K Advani in New Delhi a few days back, who is believed to have assured him of support from the party legislators. “He has also met Prof Chaman Lal Gupta in this connection and in all probability, he would get support from all the 11 MLAs from BJP which include members of the breakaway groupâ€, they added.
With Dudha already having been expressed support by 10 MLAs, support from the 11 BJP MLAs will make it certain for him to bag one seat from the valley, leaving future of one of the coalition candidates from valley uncertain.
