As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching thick and fast, the political parties back home seem to be caught in a quagmire given the fact that no party has specifically announced anything significant to pass on any feeler to their voter base, at least as on date.
Almost all the parties are beating around the bush, while the PAGD, left with mere four regional political parties (JK-NC, JK-PDP, JK-ANC & CPI(M)) despite harping on having consensus on different political matters seems evenly at odds with each other on seat-sharing.
On occasions, JK-NC deliberately let the news escape that they are fielding Aga Ruhullah Mehdi as candidate for North Kashmir seat and other dropped tips of fielding former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and on few others making it more messy by dropping hints of fielding Hilal Akbar Lone and even Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan.
Similarly, JK-PDP, which received a major shot in the arm with the ‘formal’ comeback of Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and his Safina Beigh in the party cadres, too is in a fix as they believe any pre-emptive move can hamper their chances of a strong revival on the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
If sources are to be believed, given the fast changing dynamics particularly in this party of the world, the PAGD if at all reaches a consensus is highly likely to field and back any selected candidate from JKNC only – with the probable candidates being Omar Abdullah, Agha Ruhullah Mehdi, Hilal Akbar Lone with an far fetched and outside chance even to Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan.
And in case, the PAGD fails to reach any consensus on seat-sharing, the probable candidates for JKNC remain the same, while the JK-PDP is highly likely to field youth leader Irfan Mohiuddin Sofi (from Handwara) for the seat.
With regard to coveted Srinagar seat, the sources say that given the demographic and political complexity of the constituency, the parties are too scattered on their opinions more so as several other regional parties including People’s Conference, Apni Party alongside Congress and Aam Aadmi Party.
Similarly, for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency, if PDP is anywhere reaching upon any consensus, it is highly likely to field JK-PDP’s Iltija Mufti or Mehboob Beigh and again if the things didn’t materialise, the probable candidates for JK-PDP might besides Iltija and Mehboob field Chairperson Mehbooba Mufti – though chances looking far less given her stance to seek ‘restoration’ of revoked Article 370, while the JK-NC might field incumbent MP Hasnain Masoodi.
In a recent development that could trigger a fierce battle the contesting candidates, the Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party and Sajad Gani Lone led Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference are highly likely to field a joint candidate who can be from either parties with the favourite being Sajad Gani Lone itself or in case of any deadlock may pave way to Usman Majid for Apni Party – in either cases Sajjad Gani Lone remains constant for his party.
For the Apni Party, Mohammad Ashraf Mir is the probable candidate for Srinagar constituency and Khursheed Alam for the Peoples Conference and with respect to Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency seat Apni Party might field either Rafi Ahmad Mir, Chaudhary Zulfikar Ali, Aijaz Ahmad Khan or Mumtaz Khan (if at all the leaders withstand the political turbulence).
Reports || Alfaaz-The Words
