SRINAGAR: There are not only security challenges in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha segment but also stiff competition between former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, who is pitted against influential Gujjar leader, and former Minister of National Conference Mian Altaf Ahmad.
Many political pundits have described BJP supported J&K Apni Party nominee Zaffar Iqbal Manhas as the ‘dark horse’ in this constituency.
Before the elections, the central government provided reservations to Pahari tribe of hilly areas in Jammu and Kashmir, and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of Apni Party belongs to Pahari tribe.
Originally this parliamentary segment was going to the polls on May 07, but the ECI deferred the polls to May 25, due to severe weather conditions in the hilly areas of this segment. It is in place to mention that the Delimitation Commission has shifted the geographic boundaries of Anantnag parliamentary segment and now it has two districts across the Pir Panchar that is Poonch and Rajouri.
This new parliamentary segment has 18 assembly segments across five districts- seven in Jammu (four in Rajouri and three in Poonch) and eleven in Kashmir (seven in Anantnag, three in Kulgam, and one in Shopian).
The National Conference is feeling heat on the ground according to the political observers and the frustration in its leadership is writ large.
While commenting on the latest visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Kashmir Omar Abdullah said, “We have not been able to understand yet what the aim of the (home minister’s) visit was because the BJP has not fielded candidates here. First, there was a rumour that he had come for a security review meeting but no meeting took place”.
“These parties have come together to defeat the National Conference on the directions of the BJP, “ he said. “But, by the grace of God, people are with us and we will prove that on June 4.” Omar Abdullah said that all the new political parties in Kashmir are following BJP’s instructions. Their only target is the National Conference”.
Due to the triangular contest between Mehbooba Mufti of PDP, Mian Altaf from NC and Zaffar Manhas from Apni Party of Altaf Bukhari, every vote matters.
All the three candidates are not sure who will finally sail through this tough election.
Mehbooba Mufti has already said that BJP with the help of J&K administration will try to create fear in her popular pockets as she questioned the timing of recent killings by terrorists in Kashmir and Rajouri.
A BJP affiliated sarpanch was killed by the terrorists while they opened fire near Pahalgam health resorts on tourists injuring two of them. Rajouri and Poonch are already witnessing terror attacks and killings in the past few months. The National Conference and PDP are portraying themselves as the victims of the central government while appealing people to vote for them.
Mehbooba Mufti on social media platform has asked people to vote for her and has reminded them as she has been on the forefront for them during the difficult times.
Whether these appeals translate into votes or not would be decided on counting day-June 4.