Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, May 02 (KNS): As the political landscape in North Kashmir's Baramulla Parliamentary constituency heats up with the filing of nominations by key contenders, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive Lok Sabha race.
Notable figures such as Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), Sajad Gani Lone from the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (PC), Mir Mohammad Fayaz representing the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and the jailed Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Er Rashid, are among the prominent candidates vying for victory.
With the twin parties, NC and the Indian National Congress (INC), having historically secured the seat 14 times out of the 15 Lok Sabha elections held since 1957, the battle lines are drawn for the upcoming polls.
News agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) reported that in the last election in 2019, the NC's candidate Muhammad Akbar Lone secured the seat defeating his closest rival from the PC, Raja Aijaz Ali, by a significant margin.
However, this time around, the contest is expected to be intense as newer parties, with substantial support bases in various areas, have joined forces in support of PC candidate Sajad Gani Lone.
The alliance between the NC and the INC, which has historically dominated the region, faces a formidable challenge from this united front.
“The Lok Sabha race in Baramulla is shaping up to be fiercely competitive, with notable contenders such as Omar Abdullah from the National Conference, Sajad Gani Lone from the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference, Mir Mohammad Fayaz representing the People's Democratic Party, and jailed Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Er Rashid, running as an independent candidate. It is seen that all these leaders have their own footing and support of the people,” commented a social worker in Baramulla.
Former Chief Minister and Vice President of the NC, Omar Abdullah, filed his nomination papers from the Baramulla-Kupwara Lok Sabha constituency, setting the stage for a showdown with rivals such as Sajad Lone of the JKPC, Engineer Rashid of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and Mir Mohammad Fayaz of the JKPDP.
PDP’s Mir Fayaz also filed his nomination papers from the Baramullah constituency.
The constituency, slated to go to polls on 20th May 2024, encompasses 15 assembly segments with a total of 11.90 lakh eligible voters, including 6.24 lakh male and 5.66 lakh female voters.
Analysis of past elections reveals a dynamic history for the Baramulla seat. While the NC has emerged victorious eight times, the INC has secured the seat five times. The first Lok Sabha elections in 1957 saw Indian National Congress candidate Sheikh Muhammad Akbar emerge victorious, followed by subsequent wins by INC candidates Syed Ahmed Aga in 1967 and 1971, and Khawaja Mubarak Shah in 1980.
The NC's dominance was showcased by Saifuddin Soz's three victories in 1983, 1984, and 1989. However, the tide shifted in 2014 when the PDP's Muzaffar Hussain Beigh emerged victorious, breaking the traditional hold of NC and INC on the seat. The NC reclaimed the seat in 2019 with Muhammad Akbar Lone's win over Raja Aijaz Ali.
With historical trends, recent alliances, and emerging challengers shaping the electoral landscape, the battle for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat promises to be one of the most closely watched contests in the upcoming elections.(KNS)