Can Omar reclaim his ancestral throne?

Srinagar, Sep 10: As the 2024 assembly elections loom, all eyes are on Omar Abdullah, the scion of Kashmir’s most influential political family, as he attempts to reclaim his ancestral stronghold, Ganderbal - a constituency that has been to the Abdullahs what Amethi was to the Gandhis.

Ganderbal isn’t just any constituency; it’s a family heirloom, passed down through generations of Abdullahs.

From the towering figure of Sheikh Abdullah to his son Farooq Abdullah, this constituency has been the family’s political playground for decades.

But like all great stories, this one too has its twists and turns.

Ganderbal is often likened to the Gandhis’ Amethi where the Gandhi family has won several elections. The constituency’s electoral history reads like a family chronicle, beginning in 1977 when Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) secured the seat.

His son, Farooq Abdullah, subsequently held the fort for three consecutive terms in 1983, 1987, and 1996, seemingly cementing the Abdullah family’s grip on Ganderbal.

Rewind to 2002: The unthinkable happened. The Abdullah fortress crumbled as PDP's Qazi Afzal stormed the citadel, sending shockwaves through Kashmir's political landscape. It was a David versus Goliath moment, leaving the Abdullahs to lick their wounds and regroup.

But Omar, with the resilience of youth and the weight of his family name, wasn’t one to back down. In 2008, he bounced back, not just winning Ganderbal but also becoming the youngest chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. It was a phoenix-like rise, a testament to the Abdullah legacy’s enduring appeal.

Now, as the clock ticks towards the 2024 elections, Ganderbal finds itself at another crossroads. The constituency has undergone subtle yet significant changes. With 1.29 lakh voters - a near-perfect balance of 64,109 males and 64,904 females – it’s anyone’s game.

As campaigning heats up, the streets of Ganderbal buzz with speculation. Old-timers reminisce about the days of Sheikh Abdullah, while the youth debate the promises of change offered by newer parties. In tea stalls and marketplaces, heated discussions about development, unemployment, and Kashmir’s unique challenges dominate conversations.

The political landscape is more complex than ever. Omar Abdullah faces stiff competition from several quarters. His main rival, Bashir Mir of the PDP, is no political novice. In 2014, Mir gave a close fight to NC's Mian Altaf in the neighbouring Kangan constituency. With Kangan now reserved for Scheduled Tribes post-delimitation, Mir has set his sights on Ganderbal, bringing his political acumen and local connections to the fray.

Adding to Abdullah's challenges is Ishfaq Jabbar, who won the Ganderbal seat on an NC ticket in 2014 but has now parted ways with the party. Running as an independent, Jabbar presents a formidable challenge, potentially splitting the NC's traditional vote base.

The plot thickens with the entry of political newcomer Sheikh Ashiq. As a former president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ashiq brings a fresh perspective to the race. He's aligned himself with the party of jailed MP Engineer Rashid - a name that evokes unease in the Abdullah camp, given Rashid's shocking defeat of Omar in the parliamentary polls.

Further complicating matters is the candidacy of Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known as Sarjan Barkati. Currently incarcerated, Barkati's entry adds another layer of intrigue to the contest. His daughter's failed attempt to contest from Shopian, inspired by Rashid's victory in Baramulla, has only added to the dramatic narrative surrounding his candidacy.

Will the Abdullah family reclaim their fortress, or will a new chapter be written in the political history of this storied constituency? In the end, it's the 1.29 lakh voices of Ganderbal that will decide whether the Abdullah saga continues or if it's time for a new narrative.

The stage is set, the players are ready, and Ganderbal waits with bated breath. In this land where politics runs deeper than the Sindh River, one thing is certain - whatever the outcome, the 2024 Ganderbal election will be one for the history books.