In a dramatic development, Sahil Farooq, the Congress district president of Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir, has threatened to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections if his party does not nominate him for the Ganderbal constituency.
Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference (NC), is contesting from Ganderbal, while Gujjar leader Mian Meher Ali is running from the Kangan (ST) constituency, both located in North Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
According to the pre-poll alliance, the NC will contest 52 seats, while Congress will field candidates in 31 constituencies in the J&K Assembly elections.
Farooq expressed his willingness to run under the Congress banner if the party allows a “friendly contest” in Ganderbal, similar to arrangements in other constituencies. “If we can have a friendly contest on five seats, why not in Ganderbal? “I am ready to run as a Congress candidate if given the opportunity. However, if that is not possible, I will consider running as an independent while still remaining loyal to the party,” Farooq stated.
He voiced frustration over what he perceives as the continual neglect of local leaders in Ganderbal and criticized the party’s decision-making process. “Ganderbal has always been overlooked, with outsiders often imposed on us. If the Congress leadership does not make a decision by this evening, I will proceed to contest independently, although my commitment to the Congress party will remain unwavering. I am doing this for the welfare of the people of Ganderbal,” Farooq added.
His potential independent candidacy could impact the dynamics of the electoral alliance between the NC and Congress. Farooq has called on the Congress leadership to provide him with an opportunity to represent Ganderbal in a friendly contest.
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