REGIONAL

Iltija Mufti likely to contest assembly elections from Anantnag

By News Desk

August 19, 2024

A key meeting of the People’s Democratic Party is underway in Srinagar office on Monday morning, sources said.

The People’s Democratic Party is likely to field Iltija Mufti, media advisor to former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti as the candidate for Anantnag or Bijbehara assembly seat.

Sources told The Kashmiriyat that a meeting of the PDP is underway in Srinagar, where Iltija Mufti has been proposed as a candidate by the party’s leadership for the key Anantnag seat.

“The final announcement is yet to be made, however, it surely has been proposed that Iltija Mufti should candidate the Anantnag assembly seat,” a PDP spokesperson said.

Iltija Mufti has been active in Kashmir politics post the abrogation of the Articles 35A and 370. She handed the Twitter account of Mehbooba Mufti and vocally opposed the changes in the aftermath of the abrogation.

She campaigned for the party in the family flung areas of Anantnag- Rajouri seat, however, the party lost the elections. During the elections, however, Iltija Mufti emerged as one of the most prominent face from the party, which has been dented by the never-ending defection post 2019.

The People’s Democratic Party, during the recent parliamentary seat, performed poorly in the Lok sabha seat of Anantnag-Rajouri, however, in the Anantnag assembly segment, the party outperformed the National Conference.

Party sources revealed that the name of Iltija Mufti, who is also the daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, is being discussed from two seats; Bijbehara and Anantnag.

However, the presence of strong candidates like Dr. Mehboob Beig, former minister and serval time MLA from Anantnag is likely to force the party to field Iltija from Bijbehara, which is also the home constituency of the Muftis.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its constituency incharges for the upcoming assembly elections.

The announcement was made by the party’s General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura.

This initial list features eight leasers who will be lead the party’s campaign from key constituencies across the region.

Those named are Mr. Ab Rehman Veeri for Anantnag East, Mr. Sartaj Ahmad Madani for Devsar, and Dr. Mehboob Beg for Anantnag.

The list also includes Mr. Gh Nabi Lone Hanjura for Charar e sharief, Ms. Iltija Mufti for Bijbehara, Mr. Gh Mohi-ud-din Wani for Watchi, Mr. Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra for Pulwama, and Mr. Rafiq Ahmad Naik for Tral.