NC, BJP rebels, influential Independents among 175 left in fray for Phase-II

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Nov 17: As last date for withdrawal of nomination papers for Phase-II of polling on December 2 ended this evening, eight candidates withdrew their nomination papers, leaving 175 candidates in fray for 18 Assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir. Eighty-five candidates were left in the race for nine constituencies of Jammu region and 90 for an equal number of segments in Kashmir region.
Several hi-fi candidates including BJP and NC rebels apart from influential Independents were among those in fray for nine Assembly segments of Udhampur, Poonch and Reasi districts in Jammu  region going to polls in second phase.
In Jammu region, highest number of 14 candidates were left in fray for Reasi seat followed by 11 in Mendhar and 10 each in Poonch-Haveli, Surankote, Udhampur and Gool-Arnas.  Lowest number of six candidates were in race for Ramnagar seat while Chenani (Reserve) and Gulabgarh seat have seven candidates each after today’s withdrawals.
All six seats of Udhampur and Reasi districts will witness multi-cornered contests as all of them have become prestigious battle grounds for the political parties and Independent candidates, some of whom have jumped into battle of ballots for first time while some others have switched sides.
Of nine, there were two Assembly constituencies-Gulabgarh and Ramnagar, where sitting MLAs were seeking fourth straight term having already won three successive elections while in two other segments (Gool-Arnas and Udhampur), the sitting MLAs were in fray vying for hat-trick.
The BJP, which has been making maiden attempt for power in Jammu and Kashmir, has been hit by rebellion in prestigious battleground of Udhampur, where BJP leader Pawan Gupta has been contesting as an Independent candidate against two times NPP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia and BJP nominee Pawan Khajuria. Though Ashok Gupta (Congress), Sunil Verma (NC), Ranjit Singh (BSP) and Sukhdev Sharma (PDP) were also in the fray, political observers opined that the seat was likely to witness triangular fight.
Pawan Gupta has already displayed his strength by holding a huge public rally on the day of filing his nomination papers and was banking upon the works done by him for past several years in the entire constituency and direct rapport maintained with the people while BJP was hopeful that Modi wave will tilt the balance in favour of its candidate, Pawan Khajuria, who has also stepped-up his canvassing with the backing of top BJP leaders.  Mankotia was also trying to cash-in on the development works done by him during 12 years tenure as MLA and has intensified his campaign in the entire segment.
The BJP has been making last ditch efforts to persuade Gupta with senior party leaders speaking to him on phone or meeting him at his residence. However, sensing people’s massive support in his favour in the entire constituency, he has refused to give-in to the party requests in view of massive response Pawan Gupta was getting from the people especially the voters in entire Udhampur constituency.
It’s not only the BJP but National Conference was also facing rebellion in Poonch and Mendhar seats. Nissar Khan, a Cabinet Minister in 1996 Farooq Abdullah regime has joined the electoral fray from Mendhar seat while influential party leader Choudhary Abdul Gani is in the race from Poonch seat. Both of them didn’t withdraw their candidature on last day today.
In Ramnagar segment, three times MLA and former Minister Harshdev Singh is also involved in three-cornered contest with RS Pathania (BJP) and Vinod Khajuria (Congress) though Sukham Chand (BSP) and Raj Kapoor (NC) were also in the fray. Harshdev has won the seat for three successive terms in 1996, 2002 and 2008. Pathania had switched over to BJP from Congress at the eleventh hour and is in the fray.
Harshdev is harping on development of the constituency during past 18 years but his rivals-Pathania and Khajuria were alleging neglect of the segment.
Chenani Assembly segment, the third constituency of Udhampur district, is also facing triangular battle among Dina Nath Bhagat (BJP), Dhani Ram Atri (JKNPP) and sitting Congress MLA Krishan Chand Bhagat though Mohinder Kumar (BSP) is also in the fray.
BJP had won Chenani seat in 1996 but the NPP wrested it in 2002. The seat had gone to Congress in 2008.
Reasi is the only constituency in the district, which was witnessing battle royal with several influential and mass based activists joining the electoral battle.
Prominent candidates in the fray included Jugal Kishore, former Minister and sitting MLC (Reasi), Jagjivan Lal, another former Minister (National Conference), Ajay Nanda Advocate (BJP), Saraf Singh (PDP backed Independent), Baldev Sharma, sitting BJP MLA from the constituency (Independent) and Karnail Singh (Independent).
All candidates have their pockets of influence in Reasi, the observers said.
Reasi was another segment, which was facing rebellion in the BJP with sitting MLA Baldev Sharma joining the contest as an Independent candidate on being denied the party mandate.
Jagjivan Lal had won Reasi seat in 1996 but Jugal Kishore wrested it in 2002. In 2008, Baldev Sharma had emerged the winner.
In Gool-Arnas Assembly segment of Reasi district, the BJP was for the first time poised for an impressive showing after prominent National Conference leader Kuldeep Raj Dubey alias Mangu Shah joining the fray on BJP mandate. He holds sway over vast section of electorates. He will be facing two times Congress MLA and Minister of State for Revenue (Aijaz Khan), Shamshad Bano (NC) and Imtiyaz Ahmad Shan (PDP) among others.
NC’s three times MLA Abdul Gani Malik, former Higher Education Minister, is also seeking fourth straight term from Gulabgarh constituency in Reasi district this time. He had won the seat for three straight terms in 1996, 2002 and 2008. He is facing challenge from Sardar Pardeep Singh (BJP), Mumtaz Ahmad Khan (Congress) and Shafiq-ur-Rehman (PDP) among others.
In Gulabgarh Assembly constituency, 7 candidates are in the fray including Bashir-ud-Din (JKNPP), Pardeep Singh (BJP), Jawahar  Singh (BSP), Shafiq-Ur-Rehman (PDP), Abdul Gani Malik (NC), Mumtaz Ahmed (INC) and Shabir Ahmed (Hindustan Janta Party).
In Reasi seat, 14 candidates are in the race including, Ajay Nanda (BJP), Om Parkash (CPI-M), Balwan Singh (JKNPP), Jagjiwan Lal (JKNC), Jugal Kishore (Congress), Karan Singh (BSP) and Anil Kumar, Baldev Raj Sharma, Bansi Lal, Rano Devi, Saraf Singh, Karnail Singh, Kuldeep  Singh and Meenakshi Sharma (all Independents) .
In Gool-Arnas segment, 10 candidates are in the fray including Ajaz Ahmed Khan (Congress), Imtiyaz Ahmed Shan (PDP), Shiban (BSP), Shakeel Ahmed (JKNPP), Shamshad Bano (NC), Kuldeep Raj Dubey (BJP) and Arjun Singh,  Romail Singh, Abdul Rehman and Gulzar Ahmed Wani (Independents).
In Udhampur Assembly constituency, 10 candidates are in the fray including Pawan Gupta (Independent), Ashok Kumar Gupta (INC), Balwant Singh Mankotia (JKNPP), Pawan Khajuria (BJP), Ranjit Singh (BSP), Sukhdev Sharma (PDP), Sunil Verma (NC), Dharam Paul (Hindustan Janta Party) while as Anil Khajuria and Soma are Independent candidates.
In Chenani (Reserve) Assembly constituency, 7 candidates are in the fray including Dhani Ram Atri (JKNPP), Dina Nath (BJP), Sansar Chand (NC), Krishan Chander (INC), Mohinder Kumar (BSP), Hans Raj (PDP) and Pushpa Devi (SP).
In Ramnagar seat, 6 candidates are in the fray including Raj Kapoor (NC), Ranbir Singh Pathania (BJP), Prof Sukham Chand (BSP), Vinod Kumar Sharma (INC), Harshdev Singh (NPP) and Sanju Kumar (Independent).
In Surankote Assembly seat, 10 candidates are in the fray including, Ch. Mohammad Akram (INC), Mohammad Taj Khan (BJP), Naseer-ul-Islam Ahmed (BSP), Ashfaq Rana (JKNPP), Iqbal Hussain Shah (PDP), Mushtaq Ahmed Shah (NC), Javid Ahmed (All India Forward Bloc), Ayaz Ahmed Mughal, Mohammad Shah and Mohammad Sadiq Qureshi (Independent).
In Mendhar segment, 11 candidates are in the fray including Javed Ahmed Rana (NC), Zulfqar Hussain Khan (BJP), Mohammad Shafeeq Khan (BSP), Mohammad Tariq Khan (NPP), Mohammad Mahroof Khan (PDP), Murtaza Ahmed Khan (INC), Mushtaq Ahmed (Pir Panjal Awami Party), Abdul Majeed Chowan, Mohammad Sharief Khan, Nissar Ahmed Khan and Nissar Hussain Shah (all Independents).
In Poonch-Haveli Assembly constituency, 10 candidates are in the fray including, Ashfaq Ahmed (BSP),  Ajaz Ahmed Jan (NC), Ch Bashir Ahmed Naz (INC), Pardeep Sharma (BJP), Shah Mohammad Tantray (PDP), Mohammad Rashid (JKNPP), Mohammad Younis (J&K Pir Panjal Awami Party), Javid Iqbal Reshi, Chaudhary Abdul Ghani and Mohammad Kabir Qureshi (all Independents).
Meanwhile, in nine constituencies of Kupwara and Kulgam district in Kashmir valley, 90 candidates are in fray after three candidates withdrew their nominations papers today on the last day of withdrawal of nomination papers. These constituencies are voting on December 2.
The District Election Officer, Kulgam, Nisar Ahmad Wani, told Excelsior that only one Independent candidate, Mushtaq Ahmad, from Noorabad withdrew his nomination papers from Noorabad constituency of South Kashmir on the last day of withdrawal of nomination papers. Now 39 candidates are now in fray in four Assembly constituencies of Kulgam district.
There are 15 candidates in the fray in Noorabad Assembly Constituency now. These candidates are Abdur Rehman Magray (BSP), Manzoor Ahmad Zargar (INC), Mushtaq Ah Malik (BJP), Abdul Majeed Padder (PDP), Mushtaq Ahmad (JKNPP), Sakina Itoo (NC), Ab Rashid Bhat (Independent), Akther Hussain Shah (Independent), Bashir Ahmad Bhat (Independent), Bilal Ahmad Bhat, (Independent), Gulzar Ah Mir (Independent), Mehraj-ud-Din Dar (Independent), Mohd Amin Teli (Independent), Mushtaq Ahmad (Independent) and Tawseef Ahmad Dar (Independent).
There are 8 candidates in fray in Kulgam Assembly constituency. The candidates in fray are Peer Nazim-ud-Din (INC), Riyaz Ahmad Shah (BSP), Imran Nabi Dar (NC), Ghulam Hassan Zargar (BJP), Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPI-M), Nazir Ahmad Laway (PDP), Towseef Ahmad Shah (Independent) and Rashida Mir (Independent).
There are 8 candidates in fray in HumshaliBugh Assembly Constituency. The candidates are Bashir Ahmad Bhat (BSP), Abdul Gaffar Sofi (PDP), Abdul Majeed Bhat (NC), Anayatullah Rather (INC), Ghulam Nabi Dar (BJP), Mohammad Ayoub Sheikh (NPP), Mohammad Amin Bhat (SWP) and Abdul Bary Naik (Independent).
There are 8 candidates in fray in Devsar Assembly Constituency. These candidates area Peerzada Gulam Ahmad (NC), Fayaz Ahmad Bhat (BJP), Mohammad Amin Bhat (INC), Mohammad Sartaj Madni (PDP), Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat (BSP), Asif Jeelani (AIFB), Mudasir Rashid Mir (Independent) and Nisar Ahmad Hajam.
District Election Officer, Kupwara, Itrat Hussain, told Excelsior that two candidates withdrew nomination papers from 5 Assembly constituencies of district Kupwara leaving 51 in fray now.
The DEO said that PDP’s covering candidate from Karnah, Javed Ahmad Mirchal and Abdul Haq Khan, a BSP candidate from Langate withdrew their nomination papers. He said that  seven candidates are now in fray in Karnah,12 in Kupwara, 9 in Lolab 12 in Handwara and 11 in Langate.
In Karnah Assembly Constituency those in fray are Ali Asgar Khan (INC), Ashfaq-Ur-Rehman (BJP), Jahangir Khan (JKNPP), Kafil-Ur-Rehman (NC), Raja Manzoor Ahmad (PDP), Aijaz Ahmad Badhana (All J&K Kissan Mazdoor Party) and Mohammad Saleem Mir (J&KPC).
In Kupwara Assembly Constituency, those in fray are Sardar Khan (BSP), Saifullah Khan (NCP), Ab Rehman Lone (BJP), Gh Rasool Malik (INC), Mir Saifullah (NC), Mir Mohd Fayaz (PDP), Wali Mohd Khan (JKNPP), Adv. Bashir Ahmad Dar (JKPC), Gh Hassan Sheikh, Kissan Mazdoor Party and 3 Independent candidates Javid Ahmad Wani, Adv. Mohd Amin Peer and Mustaq Ahmad Sheikh.
In Lolab Assembly Constituency, those in fray are Ghulam Ahmad Malik (JKNPP), Ab Haq Khan (PDP), Gh. Nabi Shah (BSP), Qaiser Jamsheed Lone(NC), Ab. Rasheed Zargar (BJP), Haji Farooq Ahmad Mir (INC), Ab. Rehman Wani (JKPC), Mohd Sultan Magray (Kisan Mazdoor Party) (Ind), and Suraya Bano (RPI).
In Handwara Assembly Constituency those in fray are Choudhary Mohamad Ramzan (NC), Sajad Ahmad Pir (BSP),  Mohd Abdullah Bhat (NPP), Ghulam Mohi-Ul-Din Sofi (PDP), Mohd Yaseen Bhat (INC), Sajad Gani Lone (J&KPC), Ghulam Qadir Mircha (All J&K Kissan Mazdoor Party) Ajaz Ahmad Sofi (AIP), Haneefa Begum (JKNPPF), Abdul Rahman Tantry (Independent), Anaytullah Lohar, (Independent) and Hilal Ahmad Tantry (Independent).
In Langate Assembly Constituency, those in fray are Bashir Ahmad Wani (INC), Javid Ahmad Najar (JKNPP), Mohd Maqbool War (BJP), Gh Nabi Ganie (Pandithpori)(PDP), Wali Mohd Bhat, (NC), Er.Ab Rashid Sheikh (Independent), Advocate Mohd Abdullah Mir (J&KPC), Irshad Hussain Ganie (Independent), Haji Mohd Akbar Ganai (Independent), Mohammad Ramzan Malla (Independent) and Mudasir Ahmad Tantray (Independent).

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