10 political heirs follow in their fathers’ footsteps

Srinagar, Oct 15: The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections have unveiled a political landscape deeply rooted in family legacies, with 10 newly-elected legislators hailing from families where their fathers once held ministerial and other top positions.

This outcome, following a fiercely contested election that saw 873 candidates vying for 90 seats across Jammu and Kashmir, underscores the enduring influence of political dynasties in shaping J&K’s governance.

The National Conference (NC) emerged as the dominant force, clinching 42 seats in the 90-member assembly, cementing its position as J&K’s largest political entity.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a strong second place with 29 seats, while the Congress managed to win six seats, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) three.

The remaining seats were distributed among smaller parties and independent candidates, adding diversity to the assembly's composition.

At the forefront of this political inheritance stands Omar Abdullah, the NC’s Vice President, poised to assume the role of the J&K Union Territory’s first Chief Minister.

Omar’s victory in both Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies not only cements his political stature but also continues the legacy of the influential Sheikh family, which has been a cornerstone of J&K’s political landscape for decades.

Omar’s father, Farooq Abdullah, himself a three-time chief minister, cast a long shadow over the region’s politics.

The election results read like a who’s who of Jammu and Kashmir’s political elite, with familiar surnames dominating the winner’s list.

Sajjad Shafi’s victory in Uri carries forward the political mantle of his father, veteran NC leader and former minister Muhammad Shafi Uri.

Sajad Lone’s victory in Handwara carries forward the legacy of the late Abdul Gani Lone who has been a former minister.

In Kangan, Ganderbal, Mian Mehar Ali’s win represents the third generation of the Mian family’s involvement in regional politics, following in the footsteps of his father, Mian Altaf, a former minister and current Member of Parliament from south Kashmir.

Hazratbal constituency saw Salman Sagar clinch victory, echoing the political success of his father, Ali Muhammad Sagar, who serves as NC’s general secretary and is a former minister.

Ali Muhammad Sagar has won seven consecutive assembly elections.

The Lone family’s political influence continued with Hilal Akbar Lone’s triumph in Sonawari, Bandipora, building on the legacy of his father, Muhammad Akbar Lone, who previously served as a minister and Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly during Omar Abdullah’s 2008-2014 government.

In a notable upset, Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) defeated PDP leader Iltija Mufti in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, adding another chapter to his family’s political story, as his father, Abdul Gani Shah, was once a minister with the NC.

The election also saw Sakeena Masood (Itoo), a senior NC leader, continue the political legacy of her father, Wali Muhammad Itoo, a former minister whose life was tragically cut short by militant assassins in 1994.

The political landscape further evolved with Irshad Rasool Kar's victory in Sopore.

Kar, who joined the NC in 2021, brings with him the political heritage of his late father, Ghulam Rasool Kar, a veteran Congress leader and former state Congress president.

Rounding out the list of political scions is Rafeeq Ahmad Naik, newly elected from Tral in Pulwama district, whose father, Ali Muhammad Naik, was a prominent NC leader, MP, and Speaker of the J&K Assembly.

This concentration of political power within established families has ignited a debate about the nature of representation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Supporters argue that these dynasties bring valuable experience and historical context to governance, while critics contend that this trend might stifle the emergence of fresh perspectives and new leadership.