Barkati joins fray from Ganderbal, Beerwah
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept: 5: Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah were among dozens of candidates who filed papers today taking the total number of nominations filed for the 2nd phase of polling for 16 seats of Kashmir valley to 204.
Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News
Today was the last day of filing nomination papers for the second phase of the Assembly election scheduled to be held on September 25.
The prominent leaders who are contesting besides Omar and Karra are NC leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mubarak Gul, Salman Sagar, Tanvir Sadiq, Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Dar, Dr Mohammad Shafi and PDP leaders include Asiya Naqash, Khursheed Alam, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora; Apni Party chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen.
Click here to watch video
Omar and jailed separatist leader Sarjan Barkati are contesting from two Assembly seats. Omar is contesting from Ganderbal and Budgam and Barkati from Ganderbal and Beerwah.
A total of 112 candidates have filed their nominations in Srinagar district, followed by 68 in Budgam district and 24 candidates in Ganderbal district.
For two assembly constituencies in Ganderbal district, 6 candidates have filed nominations from 17- Kangan (ST); while 18 candidates have filed nominations from Ganderbal.
For the 8 Assembly constituencies in Srinagar district, a total of 18 candidates have filed nomination from Hazratbal; 10 from Khanyar; 20 from Habbakadal; 12 from Lal Chowk; 9 from Channapora; 15 from Zadibal; 15 from Eidgah; while 13 candidates have filed nominations from Central Shalteng.
In the five Assembly constituencies in Budgam district, 12 candidates have filed nomination from Budgam AC; 18 from Beerwah; 17 from Khansahib; 12 from Charar-i-Sharief AC; while 9 candidates have filed nomination from Chadoora.
The notification for the Phase-II was issued on 29 August and the last date for filing the nominations was today, i.e. 5 September till 3 pm.
The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers on 6 September, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by or before 9 September upto 3 pm in the office of Returning Officer. Thereafter, validly nominated candidates will be in the electoral fray.
The polling day for these 26 Assembly constituencies in Phase-II is scheduled for September 25.
Meanwhile, jailed cleric and Hurriyat Conference leader, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Sarjan Barkati today filed nomination papers from Ganderbal Assembly constituency in district Ganderbal and Beerwah Assembly constituency in district Budgam.
Barkati’s nomination papers were rejected on August 28, with officials saying he could not provide a complete signed oath certificate on time. His supporters, however, accused NC Zainapora candidate Showkat Ahmad Ganai of “influencing the decision”.
Barkati, currently in jail since August 2023, is expected to face stiff competition in Ganderbal, where National Conference (NC) vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is also contesting.
The constituency is considered a stronghold of the Abdullah family adding further significance to Barkati’s candidacy.
Speaking to the media on his behalf during the nomination filing in Ganderbal, Adil Nazir Khan reiterated Barkati’s commitment to the democratic process.
“I believe in the democratic process of India. I have full faith in the Constitution of India; that is why I am here, and we are going to Beerwah as well,” he told reporters.
Khan is confident that Barkati’s nomination would stand this time. “We have filed all the papers, and we are hopeful that the form will not be rejected. There is no ground for rejection,” he said.
In the event of any further challenges, Khan laid out their backup plan. “If there will be any rejection from here, we will go to North Kashmir and try to file the nomination.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
