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Anantnag/Rajouri (JK): With the threat of cross-border shelling in some border areas and satellite phones and special runners in place to deal with contingencies, all is in readiness for elections in the controversially redrawn Anantnag-Rajouri constituency from where PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is contesting. Contesting against Mehbooba Mufti, working to revive her party’s fortunes following its alliance with the BJP in 2015, in the keenly watched election on Saturday are National Conference’s Mian Altaf and 18 others.
Elections in the last of the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir take place against the backdrop of four terror incidents, including one that claimed the life of an Indian Air Force soldier and a former BJP sarpanch.
Nothing is being left to chance, said officials. Multi-layer security arrangements have been put in place in the constituency spread across 18 assembly segments in Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian in south Kashmir and Rajouri and Poonch districts south of Pir Panjal to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling. The Election Commission has set up 2,338 polling stations in the parliamentary constituency, which has more than 18.36 lakh voters. Four election staff, including the presiding officer, will be stationed in every polling booth. In all, more than 9,000 polling staffers, including reserves, are being deployed and have left for their stations. AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States With 19 border polling stations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch, a contingency plan has been worked out to deal with cross-border shelling though chances are negligible given the ongoing ceasefire between India and Pakistan that came into effect in February 2021, officials said. Some polling stations fall in communication-shadow areas and alternative arrangements have been put in place in such areas with satellite phones, wireless sets and special runners being provided in case of a crisis. The parliamentary seat was redrawn, sparking controversy due to the geographical divide imposed by the Pir Panjal ranges. Criticism was levied against the delimitation process with Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party among others voicing concern over the methodology employed and suggesting a lack of consideration for geographical coherence. In 2019, the Anantnag constituency had a turnout of just 9.8 per cent. And so perhaps, in a marked contrast to the fervent campaigning witnessed in other constituencies, the area has seen relatively subdued rallies.
However, the Poonch and Rajouri regions, known for high voter turnouts, have seen hectic campaigning with all parties getting their top leaders to campaign.
Political heavyweights such as National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari and Azad have spent considerable time in engaging with voters.
Originally slated for May 7, the Election Commission postponed polling in Anantnag-Rajouri citing adverse weather conditions. The decision to defer voting by 18 days drew the ire of regional political factions which alleged favouritism towards the BJP-backed Apni Party candidate Zafar Manhas.
Azad, who was initially slated to contest under the DPAP banner, has fielded Mohammad Saleem Parray, prompting speculation of strategic candidate placements possibly influenced by the BJP to fracture opposition votes.
This Lok Sabha election, the first since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019 and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, is crucial for Mehbooba Mufti.
She is grappling with internal party dissension with several former PDP members now contesting against the party. The most prominent among them perhaps is Manhas, who was earlier affiliated with the PDP.
Amid the political manoeuvring, National Conference’s Omar Abdullah hinted at BJP support for Mehbooba Mufti in certain local pockets, a claim she chose not to address publicly.
The unfolding developments in Anantnag-Rajouri portend a riveting electoral showdown with far-reaching implications for the region’s political landscape.
With record-high polling in Srinagar and Baramulla, political observers feel the south Kashmir constituency will also register a higher than expected voter turnout.
The aggregate turnout in the four Lok Sabha seats, including Udhampur and Jammu, which have already gone to polls was around 59 per cent.
Authorities had received more than 2,200 applications from the contesting candidates and political parties, seeking permission for various electioneering activities.
While 1,920 applications for rallies, roadshows and meetings were approved, 303 pleas were rejected on various grounds.
The 18.36 lakh voters are enrolled in the five districts of Kulgam, Anantnag, Poonch, Shopian and Rajouri of the parliamentary constituency include 9.33 lakh men, 9.02 women and 27 third-gender voters.
Around 18,000 differently-abled people and 540 people aged above 100 years are eligible to cast their ballots.
Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm. Before that, there will be a mock poll in the presence of polling agents. Voting will continue after 6 pm if voters are found standing in queues outside polling booths.
Seventeen polling booths (‘pink’ polling stations) will be managed by women, 15 by differently-abled people and eight by youngsters. Also, there will be 15 ‘green’ polling stations to spread the message about environment awareness.
All the polling stations in Anantnag-Rajouri will have CCTV cameras for live webcasting to the control rooms set up at the district and CEO office. The cameras will be positioned in such a way so that they do not violate the secrecy of vote.
Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir – Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah today urged the Election Commission of India to not postpone the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha polls. The two leaders’ remarks came after the Election Commission of India wrote to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Electoral Officer of the region seeking a report about the constituency and the need for postponing the polls. The ECI wrote to the state election officer after several political parties including the BJP, Apni Party, and J&K Peoples’ Conference wrote to the ECI demanding the postponement of the polls citing adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
Responding to this, both Omar and Mehbooba wrote to the ECI, alleging that the BJP and its A, B, C teams are sensing defeat and thus making excuses regarding weather conditions. PDP chief and Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency candidate Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of attempting to sabotage the electoral process in the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.
Mufti stated, “The BJP and other parties who have ganged up against me want to prevent me from reaching Parliament. The support I’m receiving from people across party lines in both the Kashmir and Jammu regions is making these parties fearful of my influence among the people, prompting them to write to the ECI to defer the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat.”
Mufti further asserted that the demand is entirely illogical as only a few days remain until the polls. She appealed to the ECI not to postpone the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency under any circumstances, stating, “This action would convey the wrong message, eroding trust in the electoral process and resulting in serious consequences.” Mehbooba Mufti wrote a detailed letter to the ECI demanding that the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency not be deferred.
NC Vice President Omar Abdullah addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar over the issue opposing the postponement of the polls. “When they sense that the NC has the upper hand and the establishment-backed candidate is losing, they resort to these tactics. We have witnessed this in the past as well; when the former CM’s brother was on the verge of losing and the Anantnag elections were postponed, then no elections happened. The BJP and partner parties, along with the ECI, are attempting to do the same, citing the Mughal road problem.”
Abdullah added, “Some parties among those who have written this letter have nothing to do with these elections since they haven’t fielded a candidate, such as the People’s Conference and the BJP. Should I write a letter tomorrow for some seat in South India to have it deferred?”
Abdullah further said that if the polls are deferred, the NC will take the matter to court. “The ECI must instruct the administration to keep the roads open. I’ve been CM, and I know that machinery and manpower can keep the Mughal road open,” he stated.
Inclement weather conditions have led to frequent closure of the Mughal Road, which connects the Anantnag and Rajouri areas of J&K. Mufti also held a roadshow through the Mughal Road yesterday. In the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, all paperwork is complete, with 21 candidates contesting the polls while voting is slated to take place on May 7th, in the third phase.
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Pahalgam: The ongoing electoral battle transcends mere developmental issues; the priority is safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s core identity and interests, stated Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during a series of roadshows across various hamlets of South Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Saturday. Mehbooba rallied supporters, emphasizing that the ongoing electoral battle focuses on safeguarding the core identity and interests of Jammu and Kashmir, rather than just developmental issues. She expressed the intention to reclaim the plundered rights of Jammu and Kashmir since 5th August 2019.
Mehbooba underscored the significance of unity among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to rise above partisan politics and prioritize the greater cause. She stated that the PDP is the protector of people’s interests and, if voted into power, will take the people’s voices to parliament.
Addressing the challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba remarked, “The current scenario in Jammu and Kashmir reflects a systematic assault on our rights and resources.” She highlighted issues such as skyrocketing electricity bills and the denial of employment opportunities for educated youth, asserting that the people are bearing the brunt of these injustices.
Mehbooba alleged, “Our lands are being taken away from us, our resources and jobs are being bartered to outsiders. Our people are being turned into bonded laborers with no identity and no say,” while addressing a public rally.
She further pledged to fight to reverse the losses incurred since 5th August 2019, promising a resurgence of rights and dignity for the people of Kashmir.
Mehbooba assured, “I promise you that we will get back whatever was snatched away from us post 5th August 2019,” and asked people to remain vigilant and united in the face of adversity. “We must not lose hope, for history has shown that change is possible even in the darkest of times,” concluded Mufti.
SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has said that if BJP wins the upcoming parliamentary elections, it might be the last election that the country would witness. The PDP leader said that neither she is interested in becoming the Chief Minister or a Member of Parliament. Mehbooba Mufti kickstarted her election campaign from South Kashmir’s Shopian district earlier today.
“I am compelled to stand with you all who want me to become their voice. I want to raise the voice of the oppressed, the voice of all the youth locked in jails. Because I do not know whether there will be any elections after this or not. These elections are necessary today to raise the voice of the oppressed,” Mufti said.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) launched its election campaign from South Kashmir for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir with a vibrant road show stretching from Tahab Crossing, Circular Road in Pulwama to Sangam in Anantnag on Tuesday.
Mehbooba Mufti and party’s youth president Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who is the party’s candidate from the seat, led the rally, which drew hundreds of enthusiastic participants, predominantly of youth and PDP supporters.
Addressing the media after the event, Mehbooba Mufti extended condolences to the families affected by the recent Batwara Srinagar boat capsizing incident. Criticizing the current administration, she lamented the alleged transformation of the Union Territory into an “open jail” under the BJP-led Lt Governor’s regime.
The PDP’s election strategy was outlined, with Mufti contesting from the remodelled Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Para entering the fray from Srinagar-Pulwama, and Fayaz Ahmad Mir standing as the candidate from the north Kashmir constituency.
The PDP’s decision to contest independently follows a public fallout with the National Conference despite their previous alliance in the INDIA coalition. The upcoming polls, commencing on April 19, will witness prominent contenders including former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and veteran National Conference leader Mian Altaf. Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral landscape has undergone significant changes with the state’s transition to a Union territory.
SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday accused the National Conference (NC) of reducing the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to a “joke” after the Farooq Abdullah-led party unilaterally decided to contest all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir. The PAGD alliance in Jammu and Kashmir has been disbanded, she said. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also announced that she will move forward independently. She attributed the demise of the PAGD to the National Conference.
Hours after National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah stated that there would be no alliance with the PDP for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti shifted the decision-making responsibility to the Congress, which is part of the INDIA bloc. She mentioned that a decision would be made after consulting with the party.
During a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Mehbooba expressed her disappointment with the NC’s decision, stating that they had achieved what the BJP could not by damaging the PAGD ( People’s Alliance for Gupkar Deceleration). She also indicated that discussions with Congress were forthcoming, and a decision would be made soon. “I am a fighter. We will engage with Congress on this matter and announce our decision soon,” she stated.
Earlier, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah had remarked, “The situation has excluded the PDP, not the National Conference.” He questioned how they could abandon south Kashmir for the PDP, which placed third in the last LS polls. “They (PDP) speak of alliances but only target NC in their rallies and tweets,” Omar added.
No understanding of seat sharing in Lok Sabha elections has put two big political parties of Jammu and Kashmir face to face, which will benefit BJP in Jammu and Kashmir in forthcoming parliamentary elections.