By News Agency of Kashmir
Srinagar : After a hectic lobbying among ruling coalition partners in state as well as in union capital, PDP has managed to secure its member as the coalition candidate for the coveted post of Chairman, the elections for which are scheduled to be held on July 20.
PDP, as per sources have named Gulam Nabi Lone (Hanjoora) as coalition candidate for the post of chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.
The name of Hanjoora to be nominated as the coalition candidate has been decided in a recent meeting of PDP's president Mehbooba Mufti with the Congress high command in New Delhi, highly placed sources told News Agency of Kashmir, here today.
Though Pradesh Congress Committee was keen to contest for the coveted post, party high command decided otherwise, sources said adding, "The local Congress leaders have been asked not to create any sort of controversy with the coalition alliance at this crucial juncture".
The post of chairman has fallen vacant after the completion of the tenure of Abdul Rasheed Dar ended early this month following which P. Namgayal of Congress was nominated as caretaker chairman till fresh elections. The governor, early this month, issued a notification for the elections on July 20.
Well informed sources told News Agency of Kashmir that after hectic lobbying both at party and coalition level, the name of Hanjoora has been singled out. Congress has decided not to field any candidate against him in the election, sources added.
Earlier the name of Muhammad Sharief Naiz, who is cousin of Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, was making rounds and Congress leaders were contemplating to field him as party candidate. It is pertinent to mention here that a minister in Mufti Sayeed's cabinet, Naiz sacrificed his seat for the present chief minister and was later elected unopposed to the Upper House.
The only contest Hanjoor is likely to face is from the National Conference, which is yet to decide about its candidature. Though the chances of winning the seat are bleak for the party, NC is likely to contest, sources said.
Amid the visible consensus between the two major coalition alliances Congress and PDP, there are chances that the election for the post of Chairman are likely to be held on voice vote. "The coalition has a good majority in both the houses as such there is remote chances of secret ballot", a senior Congress leader said.