Ishtiyaq Kar

Srinagar, Apr 30 (KNS): As the scheduled Lok Sabha polls for the Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir draw near, demands for the deferment continue to echo across political corridors.

While major Jammu and Kashmir parties like the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party oppose the idea, smaller political entities persist in advocating for postponement, citing adverse weather conditions.
On Tuesday, senior political figures and president democratic progressive Azad party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad reiterated the call for delaying the elections on the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.

News agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) reported that Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, representing the Apni Party in Anantnag-Rajouri, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of postponement due to severe weather challenges.
They emphasized that smaller political entities and independent candidates face substantial hurdles in conducting effective campaign activities amidst the inclement weather conditions.

It seems that the looming elections, slated for May 7 in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, are at risk of postponement due to mounting challenges in connectivity and adverse weather conditions.
The closure of the vital Mughal road, connecting both ends of the constituency, due to heavy snowfall, has intensified discussions and demands for rescheduling the electoral process.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several other groups ardently advocate for the postponement of elections, citing the closure of the Mughal road hindering campaigning activities, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticize these calls. They allege that connectivity issues and weather conditions are being exploited as excuses to disrupt the electoral process.

In response to escalating concerns, the Election Commission of India (ECI) holds the decisive authority to make a final decision. The Commission has sought a comprehensive report from the Jammu and Kashmir administration to evaluate the necessity of rescheduling the elections due to prevailing connectivity challenges and adverse weather conditions.
However the electoral battleground in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency is poised for a triangular contest among prominent contenders. Mian Altaf Ahmad of the National Conference, Mehbooba Mufti representing the PDP, and Zaffar Manhas of the J&K Apni Party.

For Mehbooba Mufti, the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency holds significant personal and political relevance, being the stronghold of her party and her familial roots. The National Conference, buoyed by the opportunity to reclaim its dominance in south Kashmir, views this election as pivotal for its resurgence.
J&K Apni Party candidate Manhas is a Pahari and banks on the support from other allies like the J&K Peoples Conference to shore up his numbers.

The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency presents a complex electoral terrain characterized by intricate voter demographics and multifaceted issues related to Jammu and Kashmir's special status. With a diverse electorate comprising Kashmiri speakers, Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis, navigating the electoral dynamics becomes challenging.
BJP's Ravinder Raina, J&K Peoples Conference's Imran Reza Ansari, and J&K Nationalist People's Front, have also called for the deferment of the elections.
Sources said that the Election Commission is likely to take a decision soon.(KNS)