Several Independents join contest in Central Kashmir
Many others to file papers in last 3 days
Sanjeev Pargal/
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Sept 2: With BJP and Congress today announcing candidates for second phase of Assembly elections, the filing of nomination papers by the candidates is expected to pick up from tomorrow as only three days are left for the deadline to join electoral fray.
In Kashmir, former Speaker Mubarak Gul and 11 other candidates filed the nomination papers.
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Nominations for second phase of elections opened on August 29 but till today, only three candidates have filed their papers in Jammu division including two in Rajouri district and one in Reasi district. Not a single nomination has so far been filed in Poonch district.
September 5 is the last date for filing of documents by the candidates. A total of 11 Assembly seats in Jammu division will go to polls in second phase on September 25.
They include Katra, Reasi and Gulabgarh in Reasi district, Poonch, Mendhar and Surankote in Poonch district; and Rajouri, Thannamandi, Darhal, Nowshera and Sunderbani-Kalakote in Rajouri district.
Today, PDP candidate Qamar Choudhary filed nomination papers from newly created Thannamandi Assembly constituency in Rajouri district. Choudhary won Rajouri seat in 2014 but has this time shifted to Thannamandi.
Qamar Choudhary will face BJP’s Iqbal Malik, Shabir Khan of Congress and Independent Muzaffar Khan among others. All of them are yet to file their papers before the Returning Officer. Shabir Khan has also represented Rajouri seat and served as the Minister in NC-Congress Government of 2008-2014.
NC candidate Surinder Choudhary and BJP nominee Kuldeep Raj Dubey had filed their nominations from Nowshera and Reasi seats respectively on Saturday.
As per the officials, only three candidates have so far joined the electoral battle for second phase of polling in Jammu division. No candidate has joined the contest from three seats of Poonch district so far.
As the Congress and BJP today announced candidates on remaining seats of Phase-II, the nomination process is expected to pick up from tomorrow.
As per the NC-Congress seat-sharing agreement, Congress will field candidates in Katra and Reasi seats while Gulabgarh seat will be contested by NC in Reasi district. In Poonch, the NC has got Poonch Haveli and Mendhar constituencies and the Congress Surankote seat. In Rajouri, the NC will be in the fray on Sunderbani, Nowshera and Darhal segments and the Congress in Rajouri and Thannamandi.
The BJP is, however, contesting all 11 seats of Phase-II. In fact, the BJP will be fighting on all 43 Assembly constituencies of Jammu division.
Meanwhile, former Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior National Conference leader Mubarak Gul was among 12 candidates who filed nomination papers from Central Kashmir today that is voting in the second phase on September 25.
This morning, the scene outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Srinagar was bustling with activity as candidates and their supporters gathered to welcome their leaders.
Mubarak Gul, the NC candidate for the Eidgah Assembly constituency was accompanied by a significant number of supporters, including the party president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Gul told reporters that the vote is an important weapon and all the injustices done to the people of Jammu and Kashmir will end through ballot.
“We will win with the support of the people. The injustice that has happened in this region since 2019 will be addressed in the Assembly, not through hartals or stone pelting, but with the help of votes,” he said.
“My roots in the Eidgah constituency are very strong, as I have always prioritized the welfare of the people for the last 40 years,” he added.
PDP candidate from Lal Chowk constituency, Zuhaib Yousuf Mir, also filed his nomination papers at DC office Srinagar before the RO Srinagar.
Speaking to reporters, Mir said that his party leaders have taken a pledge to dedicate their lives to the welfare, dignity and prosperity of the people. “I promise we will restore the dignity and rights that have been taken from them. We will work for the dignity, identity and prosperity of the people, including the youth who are facing arrests and detentions. We will also try to bridge the trust deficit through democratic means,” he said.
Congress leader, Waseem Ahmad Shalla, who was not given party ticket filed nomination papers as an Independent candidate from Khanyar constituency before RO Srinagar.
“I am fighting independently to end the dynastic rule in the constituency. My strength lies in the people, and we will do whatever they wish, as they want to give a chance to new leaders who are not betraying them. My supporters are standing with me,” he told reporters after filing his papers.
Mehar Ali, the son of National Conference senior leader and Member Parliament Mian Altaf, today filed his nomination papers from Kangan Assembly constituency at Ganderbal DC office.
Ali, accompanied by his father and Member Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad and NC vice president Omar Abdullah, arrived at the RO office Ganderbal this morning. His supporters were chanting slogans in his and party’s favour.
Omar on the occasion stated he was confident of Mehar’s victory given the fact his family’s fourth generation was taking part in polls.
“In Mehar Ali, it will be the Mian family’s fourth generation taking part in elections from Kangan. I am sure he will follow his ancestors and father in serving the people. He will carry forward the legacy,” said Omar.
Several Independent candidates also filed their nominations in Central Kashmir. Supporters of the candidates were seen chanting slogans in favour of their respective candidates and parties.
The deadline for filing nominations for the second phase is September 5, with scrutiny scheduled for September 6. Candidates can withdraw their papers by September 9. According to the final electoral rolls, Srinagar district has 7,74,046 registered voters spread across eight Assembly constituencies: Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Chanapora, Zadibal, Eidgah and Central Shalteng.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in three phases. The first phase will take place on September 18, followed by the second phase on September 25, and the third and final phase on October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 8.
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