J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

NC kicks off campaign for civic poll
Srinagar, January 14
Kicking off the campaign for the forthcoming civic poll, National Conference President Omar Abdullah lashed out at the “anti-people” policies of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir here today.

Cong, PDP to share seats equally
Jammu, January 15
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress and Peoples Democratic Party, which are major alliance partners in the coalition government, have decided to share seats on 50/50 basis in rural areas during the forthcoming civic elections in the state.

BJP, Shiv Sena alliance in Jammu
Jammu, January 15
The BJP today announced that it had reached an agreement with the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal (Badal) for the ensuing civic elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

67 Army men get Sena Medal
Jammu, January 15
Subedar Ali Mohammad of Rajouri was among the 67 Army men who were awarded Sena Medal for acts of bravery while fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir at an investiture ceremony here today.

NC kicks off campaign for civic poll
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 14
Kicking off the campaign for the forthcoming civic poll, National Conference President Omar Abdullah lashed out at the “anti-people” policies of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir here today.

Addressing a public meeting at Reshi Mohalla here, Omar expressed concern over the policies of the coalition government.

He said the Mufti government’s slogans of healing touch, peace with dignity, two jobs for each family, disbanding of SOG and Task Force of the police were misleading.

He alleged that there was a gross misuse of public funds in the shape of expenses incurred on residential houses of the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues in Srinagar and Jammu and the tourist spots of Gulmarg and Pahalgam.

Omar also criticised the government for its failure to implement the Accountability Bill, and added that there was an increase in corruption, favouritism and nepotism, and unemployment.

Accompanied by senior party leaders, including former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, the NC President alleged that the coalition government had “totally ignored” the development of Srinagar and its surrounding areas.

He claimed that the party had lost faith in the Election Commission and alleged that the coalition government was bent upon rigging the civic poll on the pattern of Assembly by-elections to Pahalgam and Batamaloo.

Cong, PDP to share seats equally

Jammu, January 15
The Jammu and Kashmir Congress and Peoples Democratic Party, which are major alliance partners in the coalition government, have decided to share seats on 50/50 basis in rural areas during the forthcoming civic elections in the state.

"We have decided to share seats on 50 per cent basis each in rural areas during the forthcoming civic elections," Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed said here this evening, after the leaders of both the parties held a one-hour meeting.

He said the Congress will contest on 30 wards out of 68 in Srinagar Municipal Corporation. While the PDP will contest on the remaining 38 seats there.

"In Jammu Municipal Corporation, our party would be contesting on 61 wards and the PDP would be contesting in the remaining 10 wards," Mr Sayeed said.

On the controversy over reported deletion of names of the Kashmiri migrants from voter lists in their respective constituencies in the valley, the PCC chief said the matter had also been discussed with the PDP leadership.

Migrants would also get their due representation in the corporations, including through the process of nomination, he said.

However, he did not elaborate it further saying that the government was studying the matter to ensure their participation in the democratic process. — PTI

BJP, Shiv Sena alliance in Jammu
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 15
The BJP today announced that it had reached an agreement with the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal (Badal) for the ensuing civic elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Under the agreement, the Shiv Sena will field candidates from six out of 71 constituencies in the Jammu Municipal Corporation.

The Akali Dal (B) and the BJP will support each other’s candidates.

The BJP has also offered its election symbol to the Akali Dal (Badal) candidates.

The Shiv Sena’s pact with the BJP comes after protracted negotiations.

67 Army men get Sena Medal