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ELECTIONS '96

Srinagar Congress candidate refuses to withdraw

Senior leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Congress have virtually revolted against party President Sitaram Kesri's decision to withdraw party nominee Agha Syed Mehdi from the key Srinagar constituency in favour of Omar Farooq, son of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

Agha Mehdi, a prominent Shia leader, who refused to withdraw from the contest, is being backed by almost all party leaders. In fact, senior Congress leaders accompany Agha Mehdi on his campaign, which has intensified over the past few days as the poll day near. Election will be held on March 7.

Kesri deputed party joint secretary Imran Kidwai to Srinagar a few days back to persuade Agha Mehdi to withdraw. But he failed in his attempt to seek withdrawal of the party candidate.

Kesri's action has been described by state Congress leaders as "undemocratic, unethical and harmful to the party interests". They said even senior party leaders like Jitendra Prasada were ignorant about Kesri's decision.

Congress leader Taj Mohiuddin, former minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, Ghulam Nabi Mir Lasjan, Dr Mehboob Beg, and Mehbooba Mufti have rejected the party chief's decision, saying the "Congress will not breach the trust of people, who have come forward to extend full support to the party."

Agha Mehdi has addressed more than 20 election rallies in the past few days. He said his candidature was decided by the All-India Congress Committee and not any individual. "It is only the AICC which can direct me to withdraw."

Former home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said, "It is totally unacceptable that a dedicated Congress candidate is being unilaterally asked to pull out of the fight only to facilitate victory of a privileged individual."

Elections '98

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