Ishtiyaq Kar

Srinagar, Apr 23 (KNS): Amidst heightened attention on the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency in the forthcoming elections, political parties are actively mobilizing resources and crafting strategic campaigns to clinch success in this pivotal electoral arena.

Aspiring candidates, party workers, and supporters are gearing up for a spirited contest, recognizing the importance of this seat

The Anantnag Parliamentary seat is scheduled for polling on May 07.

News agency KNS reported that amidst a multitude of contenders vying for victory, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on the face-off between Mian Altaf of the National Conference (NC) and Mehbooba Mufti representing the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Currently held by National Conference leader Justice Hasnian Masoodi, the South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat serves as the battleground for this high-stakes contest.

As election fervor reaches its zenith, political factions intensify their campaign efforts, each determined to outshine the other in the electoral arena.

A glance into the annals of history reveals the seat's penchant for political turnover, with no single party managing to retain its grip since 1989.

The legacy of the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat traces back to its inception, where PL Handoo of the National Conference emerged victorious in the inaugural parliamentary polls of 1989.

Subsequent electoral cycles witnessed a kaleidoscope of outcomes, including the deferment of polls in 1991 due to the volatile climate in Kashmir and the ascendance of candidates like Muhammad Maqbool Dar of Janta Dal in 1996.
The seat witnessed the rise and fall of political stalwarts, with Mufti Muhammad Sayeed clinching victory in 1998 on the Congress ticket, marking a pivotal moment in the region's political landscape.

The 2004 elections marked Mehbooba Mufti's debut in Parliament, securing a resounding victory over her NC adversary Mehboob Beg.

In 2009, the tables turned as Mehboob Beg emerged triumphant, only to witness Mehbooba Mufti's return to power in 2014, signaling a decisive shift in the electorate's preferences.

The subsequent electoral bout in 2019 saw Masoodi securing the parliamentary seat for the NC, setting the stage for the upcoming showdown between political heavyweights.

As the electoral juggernaut gathers momentum, all eyes are on Anantnag, awaiting the outcome that will shape the region's political trajectory for years to come.(KNS)