Ex-MLA Nizamuddin Bhat says he is talking to Congress to secure their mandate

Bandipora, Sep 11:  Senior leader and former MLA Nizamuddin Bhat who has been campaigning as an independent candidate for Bandipora Assembly constituency from north Kashmir said he is talks with the Congress party.

"I don't know if [congress] will give me a mandate, but I am in talks with them," Bhat said on Wednesday.

Notably, Bhat who was a senior leader in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) parted ways in 2021 to join the Peoples Conference (PC) and resigned from the party in June following the parliamentary elections.

He recently told Greater Kashmir that he has been calling himself a "Independent candidate" up until now, and that if Congress does not give him a mandate, this will be his first contest as an independent candidate.

When asked if congress workers would support him if he was given the party ticket, Bhat responded, "Once there is a clear offer, things will follow."

According to sources, Bhat has taken nomination form from ARO today. The last date to fill forms for third phase is tomorrow, 12 September till 3:00 PM.