Baramulla town in election mode as 3 more candidates submit nomination papers

Baramulla, Sep 12: The Baramulla town in north Kashmir witnessed electoral excitement on Wednesday as three more candidates submitted their nomination papers from the Baramulla constituency for the upcoming assembly election.

With the submission of three more forms, the electoral fight in the town is likely to be interesting with former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig contesting as an independent candidate from the constituency.

On Wednesday, Baig, Congress candidate Mir Iqbal, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Rafique Ahmad Rather submitted their nomination forms from the Baramulla constituency.

While the candidates filed their nomination papers, the supporters of all three candidates accompanied their favourites to the office of District Election Officer (DEO) Baramulla.

The move turned into a vibrant political show as the supporters of the candidates were seen raising slogans waving flags, electrifying the scene across the town.

The supporters of all three candidates were seen rallying behind their leaders with enthusiasm.

Interestingly, all three candidates vowed to end “neglect in Baramulla town” while promising to bring development and restore the importance of Baramulla district on the political map.

Talking to reporters, Baig said that he would actualise his unfulfilled Greater Baramulla dream.

“I had a dream to complete the Greater Baramulla project, but that dream remained unfulfilled as I was sent to Parliament. Something happened that took me out of J&K and sent me to Delhi. But now I will contest in the upcoming assembly elections again and will fulfil that dream," Baig told reporters here.

He said that with the actualisation of the Greater Baramulla project, the district would not only shine on the map of J&K but also the map of the entire country.

Congress candidate Mir Iqbal while hinting at the restoration of statehood, said that the Congress party would fight to restore what had been snatched from the J&K.

Salman Anees Soz who was accompanying Mir Iqbal said that the Congress party had played a significant role in Baramulla and the party workers had kept the Congress alive over the past 10 years despite facing many hardships and challenges.

“The Congress party is dedicated to serving these people in Baramulla. Our party cannot overlook such people. The decision to have a friendly contest in Baramulla was made after thoughtful consideration and NC was taken on board as well,” Soz told reporters here.

He said that during ‘Bharat Jodho Yatra’, Rahul Gandhi intended to open shops of love everywhere.

"After the 2024 parliamentary polls, everyone realised that the situation in India is changing, and there will be changes in J&K too. Hopefully, the NC-Congress alliance will form the government here,” he said.

PDP candidate Rafique Ahmad Rather said that the Baramulla town was neglected during previous regimes and he would represent the Baramulla town in a "better way."