NVI Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 05 (NVI): Stage is set for the first ever Assembly elections in J&K after a decade. All eyes are on Kashmir’s heart—the newly carved out Assembly constituency—Lal Chowk. Who will bag this prestigious seat?
BJP’s point-man Ram Madhav, who has been recalled to J&K after being removed as the party’s General Secretary in 2020, told NVI on the side-lines of a function in Srinagar, that Lal Chowk is the crown and BJP will take it this time. “Our candidate Er Aijaz Hussain will emerge victorious from Lal Chowk and will start our winning streak from this seat only,” he said.
He said BJP will win 35 seats from Jammu and needs 10 more from Kashmir. “We will form the government in J&K,” said Madhav who is camping in Srinagar.
BJP candidate Er Aijaz, emerged victorious in the District Development Council (DDC) polls from Khonmoh constituency of Srinagar. He is the party’s face and has a history of campaigning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Amit Shah and other big wigs in Gujarat in 2014 polls. As a DDC member, he widened his ambit after being conveyed that he will be the party’s candidate for political most significant seat Lal Chowk. The constituency is very vast spread from Balhama to Padshahi Bagh and other adjoining areas.
“I am not saying that this contest is easy but I trust my people. I believe I can win,” he told NVI. “I have a vision document for Lal Chowk that covers unemployment, tourism and infrastructure development.” With Er Aijaz confident of his victory, in the battle ahead, he is set to face a very tough fight.
Political experts say that for Er Aijaz, it is going to be his life’s toughest fight. “One thing is clear that there is a huge difference between DDC polls and Assembly elections. Post delimitation Lal Chowk has become one of the largest Assembly constituencies of Kashmir. So no cakewalk for Er Aijaz,” they said.
From the National Conference, Ehsan Pardesi is the main opponent for Er Aijaz. Ehsan is the son of former Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and the NC senior leader Ghulam Qadir Pardesi. Ehsan enjoys his father’s support, though not a prominent one, but is fully backed by the party this time. “Lal Chowk will go to NC’s kitty. I will win but it will be my party’s victory. I have a vision for my constituency too but it’s not feasible to reveal that today,” Ehsan told NVI. He admitted that the contest is tough. “Given my peoples’ support, I am sure that I will sail through,” he said.
Many observers believe that Ehsan has a slight upper hand over BJP’s Er Aijaz. What is going to make the contest more interesting is PDP candidate Zuhaib Mir, a new face. “My people are my priority. I will work for my people. I am confident that people will give me a chance to serve them,” he said. In Lal Chowk, there are 103784 voters of which 51928 are male and 51854 are female voters. (News Vibes of India)
