Srinagar : Very low to moderate polling was recorded during the first two hours in Srinagar constituency, amidst unprecedented security arrangements as fear and uncertainty prevails following boycott and general strike call given by separatist organisations in the Kashmir valley. An official spokesman said Ganderbal district recorded highest 8.88 per cent polling followed by Srinagar 4.05 per cent and Badgam 3.64 per cent till 0900 hrs. However, in some polling station only few polls have been polled while at other places people came in large number to exercise their franchise.
Barring a stone pelting incident at Zinda Shah Masjid area of Rainawari in the down town, the situation was so far by and large normal, official sources said.
Officials said polling began at 0700 hrs in all polling stations, set up in the constituency, spread over three central districts of Badgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar.
The constituency was represented by NC since 1975, barring once
in 1996 when Congress won the seat after NC did not put up any candidate
when militancy was at its peak in the valley.
Besides NC and PDP, BJP, National Panthers Party (NPP), Aam Aadmi
Party (AAP), Akhil Bhartiya Muslim League and eight independents
are also seeking mandate from the seat. The constituency remained
stronghold of NC since 1975 when the party (NC) started participating
in the democratic process following Indira-Sheikh accord. However,
in 1996 the seat was won by Congress candidate Ghulam Mohammad Mir
when NC did not put up any candidate as majority NC leaders, including
Dr Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were living outside the valley due
to militancy. Before 1967, members to Lok Sabha were being nominated
from Jammu and Kashmir.
Former Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad was the first to represent
the Srinagar constituency in 1967. However, in 1971 Shamim Ahmad
Shamim, an independent candidate supported by ‘Mahaz Raishumari Front
‘ headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah won from the constituency.
Later after Indira-Sheikh accord in 1975, Begum Akbar Jehan, mother
of Dr Abdullah represented the seat in 1977 as NC nominee.
Abdul Rashid Kabli of NC represented the seat in 1984 and Mohammad
Shafi Bhat (NC) in 1989.
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