Central Kashmir saw a flurry of political activity today as numerous candidates from various parties filed their nomination papers for the upcoming elections. The streets of Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam were abuzz with energy as political workers and supporters gathered to accompany their candidates to the Returning Officers’ offices.
Among the notable candidates who submitted their papers today was Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference (NC), who is running for the Ganderbal constituency. Other NC candidates included Ahsan Pardesi for Lal Chowk, Shameema Firdous for Habba Kadal, Mushtaq Guroo for Chanapora, and Tanvir Sadiq for Zadibal. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the party chief, accompanied Firdous and Guroo during the filing process.
The Apni Party also saw significant action with former Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari filing his nomination for the elections. He was joined by a large contingent of supporters who chanted slogans in his favor. Bukhari addressed recent allegations by BJP’s Ram Madhav that former militants were running election campaigns for regional parties. Bukhari defended the inclusion of former militants, stating, “Anyone who believes in the Constitution of India has the right to fight elections.”
In a noteworthy development, a brief confrontation occurred between supporters of rival political groups at the SMC premises. However, the situation was promptly managed by the police present on-site.
Other candidates who filed their nominations include PDP’s Muhammad Iqbal Trumboo for Chanapora and Asiya Naqash for Hazratbal, alongside independent candidates like Showkat Ahmad from Chanapora and Sheikh Imran from Zadibal. BJP candidates Ashok Bhat and Engineer Aijaz Hussain also filed their papers for Habba Kadal and Lal Chowk, respectively. Several Shiv Sena candidates also joined the fray.
Bhat, addressing the media post-filing, emphasized the BJP’s direct contest with the NC in Habba Kadal. He promised 300 free power units to residents and an employment package from the Centre, asserting confidence in the BJP’s success and the participation of high-profile leaders like PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in upcoming rallies.
PDP’s Iqbal Tramboo highlighted the significance of the elections, noting that it was the first opportunity in a decade for Kashmiris to elect their representatives. He expressed optimism about addressing local issues through elected representatives and reaffirmed the PDP’s strong connection with its base.
Independent candidate Umar Hafiz from Zadibal expressed concerns about unemployment and underdevelopment. Hafiz criticized the absence of dynastic politicians and emphasized his commitment to addressing local issues, driven by his sense of responsibility toward his constituency.
The vibrant scenes of political activity today set the stage for a competitive election season in Central Kashmir, with each candidate and party eager to make their mark in the upcoming polls.
