AP likely to support Omar in Budgam
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 9: The Apni Party candidate, Muntazir Mohi-Ud-Din, was among over a dozen candidates who withdrew their nomination papers from Central Kashmir today leaving 160 candidates in fray including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hamid Karra.
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Mohi-ud-Din said that he withdrew his nomination papers to give a chance to the people to opt for the deserving candidate. “There are many big names in the electoral fray from Budgam constituency, who can play a big role in the Assembly for the people,” he said.
The Apni Party leader told Excelsior that it was difficult to win against Omar and was a futile exercise.
“The party decided and I withdrew my nomination papers, so that there is consolidation of votes,” he added.
A source said that Mohi-ud-Din is likely to support Omar in Budgam that is why he has pulled out of the contest. He said that understanding has been reached between Apni Party and NC over the issue.
The main contest in the constituency is between former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi.
Among the candidates who withdrew, the highest 9 are from Budgam district, followed by 6 in Srinagar district, while no candidate withdrew nomination in Ganderbal district.
With this, 93 candidates stayed in the final electoral fray in Srinagar district, followed by 46 in Budgam district and 21 in Ganderbal district.
In Ganderbal district, 6 candidates remained in the final electoral fray for election in 17- Kangan (ST) Assembly constituency and 15 candidates in 18- Ganderbal.
In Srinagar district, 13 candidates were in the final electoral fray for election in 19-Hazratbal; 10 candidates in 20-Khanyar; 16 candidates in 21-Habbakadal; 10 candidates in 22-Lal Chowk; 8 candidates in 23-Channapora; 10 candidates in 24-Zadibal; 13 candidates in 25-Eidgah; while 13 candidates remained in the fray in 26-Central Shalteng.
In Budgam district, 8 candidates stayed in the final electoral fray for election in 27-Budgam 12 candidates in 28-Beerwah; 10 candidates in 29-Khansahib; 10 candidates in 30-Chrar-I-Sharief; while 6 candidates remained in the fray in 31-Chadoora.
Besides Omar, the prominent in the fray for the 16 seats in Central Kashmir which is voting in second phase on Sept 25 are Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra, NC general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC leader and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, former Speaker and NC leader Mubarak Gul, NC leader and woman candidate Shameema Firdous, Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, former Minister and PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora and PDP former legislator Khursheed Alam.
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