Jammu, March 21 (IANS) Despite his initial reluctance, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will fight for the Udhampur Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir and no one is happier over the decision than Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Top sources told IANS that Congress president Sonia Gandhi had called Azad and discussed his nomination before the party announced its fourth list of Lok Sabha candidates Thursday.
Insiders told IANS that Azad's reluctance to contest from his home Lok Sabha constituency was primarily because he is aware of the polarization in the Jammu region after the communal riots in Kishtwar town last year.
Abdullah had earlier this week expressed concern over the delay in announcement of candidates for the three Lok Sabha seats the Congress is fighting in the Jammu region in alliance with the National Conference.
After Azad's name was announced, Abdullah looked a most relieved man. He said the decision to field Azad for Udhampur Lok Sabha seat is a shot in the arm for the state's ruling alliance.
He wrote on Twitter: "Excellent decision, just what we needed. Very pleased that the Congress has fielded Azad from Udhampur LS seat. Just what was needed to give the alliance shot in the arm in Jammu."
Azad belongs to Bhelessa village in Kishtwar district of the Jammu region.
Born in 1949, Azad started his political career from this village as the Block Congress president in the erstwhile Doda district from which the present Kishtwar district was carved out.
Azad's major challenger in Udhampur is Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Jitender Singh.
Abdullah has said there is no Modi wave in the Jammu region and the Congress-National Conference alliance would win all the six Lok Sabha seats in the state.
But polarization on religious lines has been clearly visible in the region after Modi's maiden rally in Jammu last year.
Still, among all the Congress candidates fielded in the state, which include Madan Lal Sharma from Jammu and Tsering Samphel from Ladakh, Azad has the strongest political influence especially in the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
During his tenure as the state chief minister and also as the union health minister, Azad is seen to have done developmental work in the inaccessible hilly Chenab Valley region.
BCCI will earn thatch: Amazon and Reliance may clash again over IPL broadcast rights, the bid may go up to 40 thousand crores
There has been a lot of competition between Amazon and Reliance Industries regarding investment in and buying of Future Group and the matter is in court. Now, these companies are competing to take
Modi Govt 8 Year: Preparations for the big celebration on completion of 8 years of Modi government, know what is the plan
8th Year Modi Government Preparation for Celebration: The Narendra Modi government at the Center is going to complete 8 years next month. On the completion of 8 years of the Modi government, grand
BJP alleges graft in Vadra deals, faces spirited attack from Priyanka Gandhi
New Delhi/Rae Bareli, April 27 (IANS) The verbal spat between the Congress and the BJP grew more strident Sunday with the BJP's allegations of "corruption under patronage" in land deals of
Asia Cup: 'TV umpire's decision is final', former umpire shows Pakistan the mirror regarding Fakhar Zaman's decision
The Asia Cup 2025 has seen a lot of drama. The India-Pakistan match in particular sparked controversy. However, Pakistan lost to India in the group stage and Super 4 rounds. The frustration of the
IND Vs ENG: Ashwin came out in defense of Chennai's slow pitch, told how it will be easy to bat here
IND Vs ENG: Turns have been seen on the pitch since the first day in the second Test being played between India and England at Chepak ground in Chennai. Experts have also raised questions about the
How much risk of corona? / WHO said - In India the infection is not spreading very fast, but its risk remains; Need to be cautious
Geneva. The World Health Organization (WHO) has praised India's efforts to prevent corona infection. WHO has said that the infection is not spreading very fast in India, but its risk remains. Hence
Army's havoc on protest against coup in Myanmar: Village of pro-democracy monks set on fire, remnants of destruction left near Golden Stupas
The village of pro-democracy monks was set ablaze by the Myanmar army last year in 2021. This is because the people of this village are anti-military junta and pro-democracy. In retaliation, the army
'There is a conspiracy behind the Maha Kumbh incident', Ravi Shankar Prasad said in Lok Sabha - it smells like a conspiracy.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Monday referred to the stampede incident at Prayagraj Mahakumbh in Lok Sabha and said that the accident smells of conspiracy. After the investigation is completed, those
500 rupees seen in female corona patient's bag, hospital worker strangled to death for stealing, arrested
The body of a corona victim was found last week at the Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital in Chennai. According to doctors, the body was lying on the eighth floor of the hospital for about 15 days. The
Russia Ukraine War Update live: Zelensky said - the next 24 hours very special, after strict sanctions, the Russian currency ruble against the dollar has a historic decline
Amidst the ongoing tension and war with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as well as to Polish President Andrzej Duda regarding Russia's
