J

Jammu, Nov 2 (UNI) The National Conference today announced that former Minister Ajatshatru Singh, son of Congress Member of Parliament Karan Singh, will be its candidate from Nagrota constituency for the coming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajatshatru Singh, who lost the 2002 elections against BJP's Jugal Kishore Sharma by a narrow margin of 67 votes, was a Minister during Farooq Abdullah's regime.

''From Gandhi Nagar constituency, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Trilochan Singh Wazir will contest for NC while senior leader and former MLA Ajay Sadhotra has been fielded for the third consecutive time from Marh constituency,'' party sources told UNI.

However, from Jammu West Chander Mohan Sharma has been given the party ticket for the first time while Romesh Lal Mottan, Ram Swaroop Sharma, Surjeet Singh Slathia will be the NC's candidates from R S Pura, Akhnoor and Vijaypur constituencies respectively.

Former BSP state president, Yashpal Bhagat, who was expelled from the party and later joined NC, will contest from Bishnah constituency.

From outer districts, former Advocate General, Mohammad Aslam Goni will contest from his hometown Bhaderwah while Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo will be the candidate from Kishtwar.

From Doda constituency, the party candidate will be Khaleed Najeeb Suharwardhy followed by Aijaz Jan from Poonch, Javed Rana from Mendhar and Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari from Surankote constituencies.

''From Rajouri, Choudhary Mohammad Aslam, Rashpal Singh from Kalakote, R S Sharma from Nowshera and Liaqat Ali from Darhal have been given the party ticket,'' sources asserted.

The polls in the state are scheduled to be held in seven phases from November 17 to December 24.

UNI VBH RP RN1645