NVI Special Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 24 (NVI): Battle lines have been drawn for the crucial Phase-II of elections in J&K tomorrow but five crucial seats of Kashmir are up for an interesting contest given high stakes involved.
In Ganderbal, once a strong bastion of National Conference is all set to witnessed a toughest ever battle with National Conference candidate Omar Abdullah, PDP’s Bashir Mir and Awami Itehad Party’s (AIP’s) Sheikh Ashiq, who was the former head of the Kashmir Chamber and commerce and industries. In Ganderbal, Omar’s skull cap is at stake. In an election rally at Ganderbal, Omar removed his cap to see votes by asking the people of Ganderbal to give him one opportunity to serve them.
In Budgam seat of Central Kashmir, Omar seems to be on the safe ground after Apni Party candidate Muntazir Mohiudin’s withdrew his nomination. Here, Omar enjoys full backing of Srinagar Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi as the constituency comprises of huge Shia vote bank. In Budgam, Omar will lock horns with PDP’s Aga Muntazir who is the close relative of Srinagar MP Ruhulllah.
In Budgam district, Beerwah Assembly constituency also bracing for a significant battle. Here, the daughter of jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati, Sugra Bakati has lured large number of voters through her emotional speeches and day-long rallies and road shows giving sleepless nights to AIP candidate Nazir Khan, who questioned Sugra as to where from she was getting money for rallies. Khan also stated that Sugra was wooing people by “shedding crocodile tears.” NC candidate Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani is also enjoying a great public support in this constituency, the fate of which will be sealed tomorrow.
Habbakadal constituency in Srinagar is set for a very interesting battle. The constituency once a stronghold of Kashmiri Pandits was represented by KP candidates till 1990. However, the political scene changed dramatically. The seat was bagged by National Conference in 2008 by Shameema Firdous who also emerged victorious in 2014. Firdous is again in the fray. She will face BJP’s Ashok Bhat, a local KP, who is banking of migrant KP votes. There are 90,000 total votes of which KP voters have 20,000 votes alone. In Habba Kadal, there are only 100 KPs living at present which means only 20 to 25 families. However, the Habba Kadal have always been a great example of communal harmony and composite culture which continues even today. PDP has fielded Arif Liagroo, a lesser known political face. There are eight KP candidates in fray for the seat also who are not popular among the voters. BJP candidate Ashok Bhat told NVI that if KP voters would vote for him he would win easily.
Lal Chowk constituency, the heart of Kashmir. Here, the contest is going to be toughest ever even though there is a direct battle between NC’s Ehsan Pardesi and PDP Zuhaib Mir. The BJP face Er Aijaz Hussain Mir claims that he will sail through as people want change.
Lastly, the Chanapora constituency of Srinagar, where the big wig Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari is on the safe seat as he has no strong opponent. NC’s Mushtaq Guroo is struggle in the seat against Bukhari, a business tycoon of Kashmir (News Vibes of India)
