The Anantnag-Rajouri seat, previously a focal point of intense political drama, is anticipated to witness further intrigue with the expected entry of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the Lok Sabha race.
Sources told The Kashmiriyat that the People’s Democratic Party will announce its candidate for the Lok Sabha seat in three-five days. “The candidate is yet to be finalised, however, PDP will field its own candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat,” they said.
The party’s youthful cadre has initiated a widespread outreach program in South Kashmir, a region once synonymous with the stronghold of the PDP. Spearheaded by the leadership of individuals like Iltija Mufti, Mohit Bhan, Waheed u Rehman Parra, and Najmus Saqib, the party has been actively engaged in door-to-door campaigning. Despite their vigorous efforts, the party has not yet formally declared a candidate for the upcoming elections.
Sources indicate that it is highly probable that Mehbooba Mufti herself will contest for the seat. In 2019, the last Lok Sabha elections, the former chief minister stood third securing 30,524 votes while Hasnain Masoodi who won the seat secured 40,180 votes.
“The party boasts a robust backing from the emerging leaders of the Gujjar-Bakerwal community. The pivotal question now lies in whether this support from the community’s young leadership will translate into actual votes during the elections,” sources told The Kashmiriyat.
The addition of the Rajouri belt, predominantly inhabited by the Gujjar and Bakerwal population, has indeed introduced a fresh dynamic to the seat. Furthermore, the recent granting of reservations to the Pahari community has raised concerns about potential shifts in the traditional strongholds of the Gujjar and Bakerwal community’s vote bank.
As of now, two candidates have been announced for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat: Mian Altaf from the National Conference and Ghulam Nabi Azad from the DPAP. Both candidates are likely relying on the support of the Gujjar and Bakerwal voters in the Rajouri belt to bolster their electoral prospects.
The Anantnag Lok Sabha/Parliamentary Constituency in Jammu & Kashmir is scheduled to hold elections this April. Voting will take place on April 19th.
The PDP’s anticipated candidate announcement, coupled with their energetic grassroots campaigning, underscores the party’s determination to reclaim its former stronghold in South Kashmir.
However, the looming candidacy of Mehbooba Mufti and the evolving dynamics within the Gujjar-Bakerwal community pose significant uncertainties, leaving the electoral landscape ripe with anticipation and speculation.
Sources suggest that a lingering obstacle for the PDP could be the haunting memory of its coalition with the BJP in 2014. “The specter of this alliance continues to resonate deeply in the collective consciousness of the populace. The repercussions of this historical alliance may potentially cast a shadow over the PDP’s electoral prospects, as the electorate grapples with the lingering memories and sentiments associated with it,” said the sources.
As the election date draws nearer, the unfolding contest for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat is poised to become a riveting saga, reflective of the complex political dynamics inherent to Jammu and Kashmir. However, amidst the multitude of like-minded parties vying for victory, a pertinent question arises: will the proliferation of candidates sharing similar ideologies inadvertently play into the hands of the BJP?