Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 4: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah was among dozens of candidates who filed their nomination papers from Central Kashmir constituencies today.
The jubilations and enthusiasm were visible on the roads and streets in Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam and its adjacent areas as the hundreds of workers from different political parties accompanied their candidates towards the Returning Officers office to file their nomination papers.
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The workers associated with different political groups rallied through the roads and streets amidst sloganeering in favour of their candidates and the parties as well.
The candidates, who filed their nomination papers today include Omar Abdullah from Ganderbal, NC’s Lal Chowk constituency candidate, Ahsan Pardesi, its candidates for Habba Kadal seat Shameema Firdous for Chanapora seat Mushtaq Guroo, for Zadibal seat, Tanvir Sadiq among other filed their nomination papers before the designated Returning Officers at SMC and DC’s Office here.
Shameema Firdous and Mushtaq Guroo were accompanied by the party chief, Dr Farooq Abdullah during filing the nomination papers.
From the Apni Party, former Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari also filed his nomination papers today before the Returning Officer at SMC office here. He was accompanied by a large number of workers, who were seen raising slogans in his favour.
On the occasion, when asked about BJP’s Ram Madhav alleging that former militants are running election campaigns for some regional parties, Bukhari told reporters: “If anyone is being given a ticket to bring him into the mainstream, there is no problem with that”.
The Apni Party chief asked Madhav that he should note that there are former militants within their ranks as well. “Anyone who believes in the Constitution of India has the right to fight elections,” he said.
However at SMC, the workers from the two political groups had a faceoff, but the situation was under control by the policemen present at the spot.
While the two groups were already inside the SMC premises, PDP candidate from Chanapora, Muhammad Iqbal Trumboo accompanied by his dozens of workers reached the Returning Officer’s office at SMC. Showkat Ahmad, an Independent candidate from Chanapora also filed his nomination papers today.
Besides, PDP candidate from Hazratbal, Asiya Naqash also, filed her nomination papers today while a few more Independent candidates from Zadibal and other constituencies including Sheikh Imran, Junaid Azim Matoo also filed their nomination papers.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Habba Kadal, Ashok Bhat and Engineer Aijaz Hussain from Lal Chowk also filed their nomination papers today. Some Shiv Sena candidates also filed their nomination papers.
Bhat told reporters after filing the papers that the BJP has a direct fight with the NC in the constituency. “We will intensify the campaigning in the next few days. We will give 300 power units free to the people and we will also get an employment package from the Centre,” he promised.
“I am confident the BJP will form the Government and the lotus will bloom here. The star campaigners like PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah will come here for the election campaign. We will hold a big rally in the Habba Kadal in the next 10 days,” he added.
The PDP candidate from Chanpora, Iqbal Tramboo, on the occasion told reporters that the people of Kashmir are getting the chance to elect their representatives after 10 years, which is a positive development as it fulfils a repeated demand of the people.
“They are facing a lot of issues, and I am confident that by electing their own representatives, these issues will be resolved. The real strength of the PDP lies in its people, and I am sure they will keep the party alive,” he said.
Umar Hafiz, Independent candidate from Zadibal constituency said that his main issues are unemployment and a lack of development, which has been evident over the last decade. “While dynastic politicians have been absent, we have worked on the ground and stayed connected with the people. I do not believe people will support them. I felt a sense of responsibility toward my people, which motivated me to run in these elections,” he added.
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