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From Rumours To ‘Mismatched’ Affidavits, Rallies To Door-To-Door Campaigns

Lok Sabha Election J&K-I

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6 min read
Bollywood actor and AICC leader Raj Babbar campaigning for Congress candidate in Jammu Lok Sabha constituency Raman Bhalla at Thandi Khui, Jammu on Saturday. Photo/JK INC Facebook
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SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Mian Altaf, a prominent Gujjar leader in the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, reassured supporters of his readiness to contest despite recent health concerns. He acknowledged feeling unwell and receiving medical advice to rest for six weeks due to an infection. This led to initial concerns about his ability to campaign effectively.

The news of his illness sparked widespread speculation and discussion within Kashmir’s political circles, with even JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah visiting him to assess the situation. However, Mian Altaf later clarified in a 3-minute video that his condition was improving, dispelling rumors of withdrawal from the race.

Mian Altaf’s video statement:

He dismissed speculations that Omar’s visit was related to any political discussion.

His candidacy in the Pir Panjal constituency, known for its diverse demographics, has significance beyond party lines. Mian Altaf is both a spiritual leader within the Gujjar community and enjoys respect and appeal among other communities, making him indispensable for the National Conference.

NC President Farooq Abdullah welcoming former legislators Ch Mohammed Akram Lassanvi to the party. Photo/X JKNC

Omar from Baramulla, Ruhulla from Srinagar

 The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference named Omar Abdullah as its candidate for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat and Aga Syed Ruhulla for Srinagar.

JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Friday. Photo X JKNC

Omar, addressing a press conference in Srinagar, challenged the BJP to field its candidates in the Valley instead of proxies, questioning their commitment to Article 370, development, and normalcy. He referred to a meeting between BJP’s Tarun Chugh, Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari, and People’s Conference’s Sajad Lone, who are contesting against him in Baramulla.

Omar suggested that BJP candidates in the Valley would lose deposits, offering to quit politics if proven wrong. He emphasized that their contest was against the forces supporting these candidates, namely the BJP and the central government.

Baramulla, which goes to the polls on May 20, will see a contest among Omar, former MP, Fayaz Ahmad Mir of the PDP and a former MP, and Sajad Lone, former MLA and minister of the People’s Conference.

NC song and campaigning:

Ruhulla versus Para in Srinagar

Aga Syed Ruhulla (Left) and Omar Abdullah (Right). Photo/X JKNC

Srinagar, will see the battle between two youth leaders – Aga Syed Ruhulla of National Conference pitted against the PDP’s Waheed ur Rehman Para. Voting in Srinagar will take place on May 13.

Ruhulla is seen as a vocal young leader from the party. A former Cabinet minister, he is also a Shia cleric with significant sway over the community in Budgam and some parts of Srinagar district. However, Budgam has now been partially cleaved from Srinagar and added to Baramulla after the delimitation.

Furthermore, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who is contesting for the Srinagar constituency from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), presents a significant challenge to Ruhulla.

PDP candidate from Srinagar Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on door-to-door campaign in Srinagar. Photo/X JKPDP

Parra’s journey in Kashmiri politics has been tumultuous, marked by imprisonment and legal battles, including being denied a passport despite a nomination as a Peace Fellow at Yale. Despite facing arrests and accusations, Parra emphasizes, advocates truth, reclaiming rights of citizens, safeguarding democracy, and challenging the dominance of separatist politics in Srinagar.

PDP candidate from Srinagar Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on door-to-door campaign in Srinagar. Photo/X JKPDP

Unlike the bigger rallies organized by the National Conference and its robust social media campaign with the launch and release of a rhythmic National Conference jingle, Para has ignited a buzz with his door-to-door campaign.

Both his personal ordeal since 2019 and his personal outreach are resonating with the electorate, particularly the young.

Watch Para’s door-to-door campaign:

However, much will depend on the voter turnout. While Srinagar has been a National Conference bastion in the past, the constituency has also been immensely influenced by separatist sentiments.

Muftis reach out to communities

 As part of their door-to-door campaign both Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija visited religious places to connect with different communities. While Mehbooba visited Hazratbal in Srinagar and connected with a cross-section of people, the younger Mufti reached out to the Sikh community by visiting the Chittisingh Pora Gurdwara on the occasion of Baisakhi.

“A lot is said about how Kashmiri Muslims & Pandits are integral to Kashmiriyat but rarely are Sikhs mentioned. Our very cultural identity is incomplete without them,” Iltija Mufti tweeted, posting her pictures.

Mehbooba Mufti, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and Fayaz Ahmed Mir (Left to right). Photo/X (Twitter)

Mehbooba Mufti is contesting elections from Anantnag-Rajouri-Poonch constituency and is pitted against Mian Altaf of the National Conference and Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Congress leader and former chief minister, who recently floated his own Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

Azad factor

Though speculations are rife that Azad is being backed by the BJP. Omar Abdullah dared the BJP to field its candidates in the Valley, claiming that they are scared of doing so for fear that they will have to forfeit their deposits.

However, with the polling for the three Valley seats scheduled for May 7 (Anantnag), May 13 (Srinagar) and May 20 (Baramulla) in three phases, the last date of filing for nominations are April 19, April 29 and May 3 respectively.

While BJP is yet to lay down its cards with respect to polls in Kashmir Valley, eyebrows have been raised over Azad’s candidature from Anantnag-Rajouri instead of Udhampur constituency which includes the Chenab Valley which comprises pockets where Azad has an influential base.

DPAP’s Ghulam Mohd. Saroori is contesting from Udhampur. Azad has yet to kickstart his campaign in the Valley but was aggressively campaigning for Saroori in his hometown, Bhalessa.

DPAP chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad campaigning for his party candidate Ghulam Mohd Saroori in Balessa in Udhampur-Doda constituency. Photo/X (Twitter)

Star campaigns in Jammu

Meanwhile, in Jammu, while prime minister Narendra Modi held a massive rally in Udhampur to rejuvenate BJP cadres in the region on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address his first election rally in Jammu on April 16. Shah will be garnering support for BJP candidate Jugal Kishore, who is vying for his third term from the Jammu parliamentary constituency and is challenged by Raman Bhalla of the Congress.

Bhalla has been holding massive road shows across the constituency.

From Chowk Chabutra to Peer Mitta

Countering BJP’s star-studded shows, senior Congress leader Raj Babbar campaigned for Congress candidate Raman Bhalla in Vijaypur, Samba district, at a widely attended rally.

All India Congress Committee (AICC) Senior leader and party’s star campaigner Raj Babbar Saturday hit out at the Modi-government for spoiling the future of youth and dashing their dreams to join armed forces by launching Agniveer scheme and assured that Congress will abolish the scheme and restore regular recruitments.

At a public rally in Udhampur and later in Thandi Khui along with former union minister and AICC Incharge J&K Affairs Bharat Sinh Solanki, JKPCC President Vikar Rasool Wani, INC candidate Ch Lal Singh, INDIA Bloc leaders, Raj Babbar lashed out at the anti-youth, anti-poor, anti-farmers policies of Modi-government.Bollywood actor and AICC leader Raj Babbar campaigning for Congress candidate Raman Bhalla at Thandi Khui on Saturday. Photo/J&K INC Facebook

Affidavit Mismatch

Meanwhile, senior advocate and activist, Sheikh Shakeel has alleged that there is a mismatch between the affidavit of BJP candidate, Jugal Kishore.

In a short video posted on social media platform, Facebook, Sheikh Shakeel alleged that Jugal Kishore’s affidavit from 2019 shows that he owes a liability of Rs 34 crores but his latest affidavit filed with his nomination papers shows this has been reduced to Rs 20 lakhs.

He asked the former Lok Sabha member to come clean about whether he had cleared his pending dues and how.

Sheikh Shakeel questions Jugal Kishore:

On another Facebook post, Sheikh Shakeel wrote:

“ECI asks CBDT to verify mismatch in Poll Affidavit of Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) Lok Sabha candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar Union Minister on a complaint filed by Congress Party.

My complaint dated April 4th, 2024 to Sh Sachin kumar Vaishya (IAS) against the mismatch in the affidavit of Sh Jugal Kishore dated 30th March, 2024 didn’t receive the same treatment.

ECI is requested to show indulgence in the matter.”

No ‘M Form’ for Kashmiri migrant voters

Kashmiri migrant voters in Jammu and Udhampur districts of J&K no longer need to fill ‘Form M’ for Lok Sabha polls, fulfilling their long pending demand.

Earlier, ‘Form M’ was mandatory for them in every election. Now, migrants in these districts can self-attest the required certificate instead of needing a gazetted officer’s attestation. This change aims to ease voting for displaced Kashmiris. Migrants will be mapped to special polling stations in their zones instead of filling ‘Form M’, reducing bureaucratic obstacles and ensuring smoother participation.

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