Battleground Hazratbal: PDP seeks to retain seat as NC aims for comeback

Srinagar, Sep 09: As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for its first assembly elections as a Union Territory, all eyes are on the Hazratbal constituency, where a fierce battle is expected among various political heavyweights.

Ten years after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) broke the National Conferences (NC) stronghold over this seat, the question remains: who will the 1.12 lakh constituency voters choose this time?

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Hazratbal has 112,541 registered voters, comprising 56,175 males and 56,366 females.

There are 110 polling stations set up across the constituency, which is a key part of Srinagar's political landscape. Located on the northern shores of Dal Lake, Hazratbal is famous for the Hazratbal shrine, an important religious site for Muslims.

PDP Vs NC: A Clash of Titans

In 2014, the PDP’s Asiea Naqash emerged as the victor, defeating the National Conference and ending its domination of the Hazratbal seat since 1996.

This time, the PDP is looking to replicate its past success by fielding Asiea Naqash again, despite several senior leaders leaving the party after the abrogation of Article 370.

Naqash’s campaign is expected to focus on retaining her influence and appealing to the constituency’s voters.

On the other side, the NC has fielded its youth leader Salman Sagar, who previously served as the Mayor of Srinagar city.

Salman, the son of NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, represents a generational shift within the party, and his candidacy is viewed as a strategic move to reinvigorate the party’s prospects in Hazratbal.

Ali Muhammad Sagar is also contesting from the Khanyar Assembly seat, and it will be interesting to see whether this father-son duo can secure seats in the UT’s first assembly.

A Crowded Field

The contest in Hazratbal is not limited to the two traditional rivals.

A total of 13 candidates are in the fray, including five independents.

Other candidates include Peer Bilal of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Shahid Hassan of the Samajwadi Party, Shadib Khan of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Sajad Hussain of the J&K All Alliance Democratic Party, Basit Hayat of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and Basit Ahmad of the Nationalists People’s Front.

The presence of multiple candidates from diverse political backgrounds could split the vote bank, making the outcome more unpredictable.

Hazratbal has been a politically significant constituency in the J&K Legislative Assembly.

Historically, the NC has had a strong grip on the Hazratbal seat.

In the 2008 elections, NC leader and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah won the seat, polling 11,041 votes with a vote share of 44.66 percent.

The PDP’s Asiea Naqash was the runner-up with 6769 votes (27.38 percent).

In earlier elections, NC candidates like Muhammad Syed Akhoon and Muhammad Yasin Shah secured the seat in 1996 and 1987.

However, the 2014 assembly polls marked a turning point when Asiea Naqash of the PDP defeated the NC, ending its long-standing hold on Hazratbal.

With over 112,000 voters set to decide the fate of the candidates, the Hazratbal constituency remains one of the most keenly watched battlegrounds in the upcoming J&K assembly elections.