J&K polls: 7 ministers, 6 ex-legislators in the fray

A total of 123 candidates, including seven ministers of Congress-NC coalition, eight former ministers and legislators are in fray for the Jammu and Kashmir's first phase of elections scheduled later this month.

On the last day of withdrawal of the nominations for the 1st phase of assembly elections for which polling is scheduled to be held on 25th November, 123 candidates remain in fray, an official spokesman said on Tuesday.

Nazir Gurezi contesting from Gurez seat, Mohmmad Akbar Lone from Sonawari assembly constituency, Mian Altaf Ahmed from Kangan and Sajjad Kitchloo from Kishtwar are the ministers of the Omar Abdullah led NC government who are in the election fray this time.  Nawang Rigzin Jora (Congress) contesting from Leh constituency, Abdul Majid Wani (Congress) from Doda, Vakar Rasool Wani (Congress) from Banihal and Chief Executive Counsellor of Ladakh Autonomous hill Development council (LAHDC) Asgar Ali Karbalie (Congress) from Kargil are the other candidates, the spokesman said.
Three sitting legislators and former minister, including G M Saroori (Congress) from Inderwal, Mohd Sharief Naiz (Congress) from Bhaderwah, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy (NC) from Doda besides the sitting MLAs- Nizamudin Bhat (PDP) and Ashok Kumar (Congress) from Bandipora and Ramban segments will also be fighting this election.

Apart from these, there are two bureaucrats in the fray. Former IAS officers, Mehboob Iqbal and Bashir Ahmed Roniyal are contesting on PDP ticket from Bhaderwah and Banihal constituencies as well as journalist-turned politician Firdos Tak, who is fighting on a PDP ticket from Kishtwar, official said