Jammu 20 Oct (KNS): After the Congress declined to contest the Nagrota Assembly seat, the National Conference (NC) on Monday named District Development Council member Shamim Begum as its candidate. NC’s Jammu provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta confirmed that the party high command cleared her nomination and she will file papers soon. Shamim, a Muslim Gujjar who won the 2020 DDC elections from Nagrota, will now represent NC in the constituency.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Congress, in a late-night decision, said it was stepping aside “to ensure the defeat of the BJP” and strengthen the alliance. Relations between NC and Congress have been tense after a dispute over Rajya Sabha seats, with Congress accusing NC of going back on its promise to offer a safer seat.(KNS)