Even as National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have decided to field joint candidates for the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) polls, in Hilad-Shahabad block the candidates of both are in the fray.
The two main major regional parties are part of the Peoples’ Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).
“I am the candidate of the alliance,” says Zafarullah Khan, an old NC loyalist from Ujru village.
However, his counterpart Mushtaq Khan of PDP, also hailing from the same village, claims otherwise.
“I have been chosen as the alliance candidate,” he said.
Khan has been earlier associated with both Congress and NC but is now part of PDP.
Unlike other blocks, here both plough and pen-inkpot symbols were seen on the electronic voting machine.
“The two parties have failed to arrive at a consensus here, leaving the voters confused,” said Muhamad Akram of Sadiwara village.
The J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) which has claimed to have forged a tactical alliance with NC and PDP at the district level has also fielded their candidate in the block.
JKPCC chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir has a strong vote base here and Akhtar Kasana is his candidate.
Farooq Ganai, son of former NC legislature Akbar Ganai is also in the fray.
Farooq was also earlier associated with NC but is now contesting independently.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, who was denied a ticket from the block by NC, is also contesting independently.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has fielded a woman candidate in this block.