Number of women to contest J

Jammu, Nov 8 (UNI) As political parties geared up for the seven-phase Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls slated for November 17, Bishnah constituency is witnessing a number of women candidates in the fray.

Although the dates to file nomination papers in Bishnah segment are yet to be announced, the women candidates, both representing political parties and contesting independently, have started wooing voters on various issues.

''The BJP has finalised the name of Shilpi Verma, widow of Kuldeep Verma, who allegedly consumed poison during the Amarnath agitation from Bishnah constituency. The Lok Jan Shakti Party has given ticket to Sudesh Puri, while independent candidates Mohini Devi, former MLA Gurbachana Kumari and Krishna Gupta are also in the fray to win the seat,'' sources told UNI.

Sources, however, asserted that apart from the Amarnath land row, issues, including unemployment, development, reservation to women, special schemes, are being highlighted by the candidates to placate voters.

The women lobby of the Congress Corporators has, meanwhile, expressed concern over discrimination meted out to women candidates announced by the party.

''The Congress has always been promising 33 per cent reservation to women, but not even two per cent women candidates have been nominated in the elections,'' the Congress women leaders and Councillors alleged in a statement here.

They hoped that the party high command would not ignore the women fraternity and field them from various segments.

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