Race for Mayor, deputy hots up

KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Mar 2: With the race to the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor hotting up, seems like the political parties are now trying to reach some consensus on the aspirants.

With the Congress yet to 'convince' their prospective candidates for the mentioned posts, the Bharatiya Janta Party and their 'formal' ally the National Conference are busy discussing 'modalities'.

Although the Congress is considering Bansi Lal Gupta and Rani Bloeria as their candidates but sources in the party have revealed that Bloeria is not too 'content' with the post of Deputy Mayor and was eying for the post of Mayor.

"There is no difference of opinion on the names of the candidates but we have to see who is a better choice and can shoulder the responsibility.

We have yet to take the final decision.

Bloeria is being considered for the post of Deputy Mayor but final approval would be taken either late night or tomorrow morning," maintained sources.

Sources further add that senior Congress leader, Mangat Ram Sharma and Raman Bhalla have yet to be consulted on the issue and decision would be taken after they express their views on the two candidates.

Meanwhile, the BJP- NC alliance too has come out with their list of prospective candidates.

With the BJP considering Kavinder Gupta for the post of Mayor, the National Conference has tipped Sardar Surinder Singh and Dharam Vir Singh for the post of Deputy Mayor.

Sources in the NC have revealed that possibly Dharam Vir would be their final choice since he has a 'strong backing' of the party leaders.

The party would take the final decision tomorrow in a meeting with their party patron, Farooq Abdullah.

"We are waiting for the BJP togather their number and once they are through with it we would announce the names of our candidates," maintain sources.

It is believed that the BJP is still struggling for the magic number despite managing to ally with NC.

They have yet to finalise on the independent candidates.