Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 19: Amidst speculations that PCC president Ghulam Ahmad Mir has aspired to be party candidate from Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, which has fallen vacant following resignation of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti as MP, the party high command is learnt to have taken a stand against according second term to the incumbent as the state unit chief.
According to Congress sources, Mir is projecting himself as the party candidate for the by-election polls for Anantnag besides his continuation as PCC president even after completion of his term, which is expiring in March next year.
However, on the other hand, sources said the party high command is not in favour of this and has asked Mir to either continue as PCC
president or contest the Lok Sabha election as the rebel PDP leader and former MP Tariq Hamid Karra has signaled his entry in the Congress if accommodated suitably.
While elaborating, sources said that Ghulam Nabi Azad has favoured appointing Karra as the next PCC president and giving mandate to Mir for the Lok Sabha seat.
Pertinent to mention that both Congress and National Conference have no reservations in forging alliance for the Lok Sabha by-elections on Anantnag and Srinagar seats, which have fallen vacant following resignation of Mehbooba Mufti and Tariq Hamid Karra, respectively.
Since Farooq Abdullah is likely to be NC candidate from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, which was being represented by Karra as PDP MP till his recent resignation, Anantnag seat will be given to Congress by the alliance, sources said.
Mir is hopeful that with the alliance of NC, he could easily win the Lok Sabha by-election from Anantnag seat while staying put as PCC president. He would simultaneously have say in the state Congress.
However, sources said, the party high command in consultation with Azad has made it clear to Mir that he would have to restrict his choice and leave one thing, probably PCC presidentship, for accommodating Karra, who could be an asset to the party in Kashmir Valley. |
