Congress has edge in panchayat Polls in Kashmir: Soz

Jammu, May 21: Though Jammu and Kashmir panchayat polls were held on a non-party basis, the Congress today (May 21) claimed it has an edge in these elections as vote percentage of candidates backed by it has increased in comparison to the 2008 Assembly elections.

"Sarpanchs and Panchs elected with Congress ideology have shown edge to the Congress in Panchayati polls in Kashmir even as elections are going on," JK Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President and MP Saif-ud-Din Soz told reporters here on the sidelines of a programme organized by the party to pay tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary.

Jammu and Kashmir has already gone through ten phases of panchayat polls till today and has another six to go till June-end.

"Congress has got much more than expected in panchayati polls in Kashmir. There was increase in the vote bank of the Congress as compared to 2008 Assembly elections," the former Union Minister said.

Soz further said, "Our candidate in Noorabad had polled only 11,500 votes in 2008 Assembly elections and lost to National Conference (NC) candidate who is now a Minister.

Today he got 23,500 votes." Similarly, in Ganderbal Assembly segment we have gained in terms of votes, he said, adding that he wasn't expecting such an edge to the party in Ganderbal.

PTI