Rallies are in full swing across Langate as various political parties vie for dominance in one of the most closely watched contests in the ongoing Jammu Kashmir assembly elections.
Candidates from all major parties have been actively campaigning in the region, with each making concerted efforts to reach voters in even the most remote corners of the constituency.
As the battle intensifies, Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) faces a tough challenge on its home turf, where changing electoral dynamics are shaping an unpredictable race.
Engineer Rashid, who surprised many by winning the Baramulla parliamentary seat earlier this year, is not on the ballot for the Langate assembly seat this time.
Instead, his brother Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh has been fielded by AIP, a move that has sparked accusations of dynastic politics.
“Rashid’s legacy race puts his brother under immense pressure,” said Amir Hussain, a political expert from Handwara. He added, “The sympathy that propelled Rashid to victory in the parliamentary polls might not fully translate into support for his brother, especially with the accusations of promoting family rule.”
Khursheed Ahmed Sheikh is locked in a fierce contest with Peoples Conference (PC) candidate Irfan Panditpuri, son of the former MLA Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri.
Irfan’s father was a dominant figure in Langate’s political landscape, and his own recent win in the 2020 district development council (DDC) elections has only solidified his standing in the region.
“Irfan has the added advantage of his father’s legacy, which resonates with many in Langate,” Amir Hussain pointed out.
“His strong organizational backing and a well-established base make him a formidable contender.”
Adding to the complexity are the late entries of Jamaat-e-Islamia’s Kalimullah and independent candidate Junaid Mir, both of whom are gaining traction in several parts of the constituency.
Langate, with its over 1.2 lakh registered voters, could see its vote split among these key players, further intensifying the battle.
Historically, Langate was a National Conference (NC) bastion, with the party winning every election between 1977 and 2008, except for the 1999 bypolls when PDP’s Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri took the seat.
However, since Rashid’s rise in 2008, the political landscape in Langate has shifted, with independents and smaller parties challenging the dominance of established players.
The 2014 assembly elections saw Engineer Rashid secure 18,172 votes, narrowly defeating PDP’s Ghulam Nabi Ganai, who garnered 15,667 votes, while PC’s Mohammad Abdullah Mir finished third with 10,015 votes. Now, Irfan Panditpuri, with his father’s legacy, has emerged as a key challenger to AIP.
“Langate voters have a history of leaning toward new faces when they feel that their aspirations are not being met, and with so many candidates in the fray, this could be anyone’s game,” said Hussain.
Another critical factor in the Langate race is the role of National Conference.
Despite losing its once-dominant grip on the seat, NC still retains influence in parts of the constituency.
Amir says, “The NC cadres could play a decisive role in determining the outcome, particularly if they shift their support either to the INDIA bloc’s Congress candidate Irshad Ahmad Ganie or one of the other contenders. The party still has a strong cadre base in a few pockets, and their votes could easily swing the race in favor of another candidate.”
Amidst these shifting dynamics, one thing remains clear—Langate will not be an easy victory for anyone.
“There’s no clear frontrunner, and the entry of multiple independent candidates means that the traditional vote bases of larger parties may be diluted,” Hussain told The Kashmiriyat.
With a divided electorate and multiple key issues on the table, from development concerns to the lingering effects of Article 370’s abrogation, Langate promises to be a battleground where every vote will count.