Delimitation adds new angle to Wagoora-Kreeri poll battle

Baramulla, Sep 26: Amid the election fervour across Kashmir, the Wagoora-Kreeri Assembly constituency is gearing up for a fierce electoral battle, with multiple candidates from prominent political parties launching their campaigns across the constituency.

As the recent delimitation process has brought changes to the boundaries of the Assembly constituency, the contest has gained additional significance, as political parties rally support from new areas.

The candidates contesting from the Assembly constituency include former minister Syed Basharat Bukhari who is contesting on a ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the third time.

Having served the region twice since 2008, Bukhari hopes to secure a third term by banking on his track record.

 According to Bukhari, his contributions during the past two times would impact the voters' decision.

Another candidate, former lecturer Naseer Ahmad Rather recently joined the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and has been given a ticket by the party from the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency.

A first-time contestant Rather relies on the influence his party has cultivated in the area since the last parliamentary polls.

Also, the entry of Irfan Hafeez Lone in the Congress, who has been given a mandate from the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency is likely to make the contest interesting.

Among other contenders, Shabir Ahmad Shah from the Apni Party and a candidate of Janta Dal United (JDU) are also in the fray, rounding out a diverse set of candidates representing a broad political spectrum.

The Wagoora-Kreeri constituency, formerly known as Sangrama, has undergone significant changes following the recent delimitation process.

New areas have been added to the constituency, while parts of the old Sangrama constituency have been absorbed into neighbouring constituencies.

While portions of Tangmarg are still part of the Gulmarg constituency, some pockets have been added to the Wagoora-Kreeri constituency. Similarly, pockets of Kreeri have been added to the Baramulla constituency.

Additionally, areas such as Sangrama, Seer, Tarzoo, Lalad, and Hygam have been merged into the Sopore constituency, further altering the electoral map of the constituency.

The Wagoora-Kreeri constituency now includes parts of Tangmarg, Wagoora, Kreeri, and Khoi.

As per the official figures, 98 polling stations have been designated for the constituency while 72,173 voters including 32,669 males, 35501 females, and three transgender voters are registered in the constituency.

During his media interaction, PDP candidate Bukhari while acknowledging that people were the true source of power said that the candidate in the election fray never knows his position.

“Only people can make you or break you in politics. They are the ones who make leaders. If they choose, they can reject you as well. No doubt, Allah’s will is always involved,” Bukhari said.

He said every candidate makes efforts to reach out to everyone and convey the party's programme and present their case.

“But we leave it to the people to decide if they find us worthy,” he said.

About the competition, Bukhari said he was contesting the elections to win.

“When you enter the race, you should contest to win. I urge people to vote and trust me,” he said.

About the challenges likely to be faced by other parties like AIP, Bukhari said the party got the advantage of emotions during the LS polls.

“Videos of emotional appeals were used with family members playing the emotional card, asking people to vote for their father. Voting like that doesn't solve anything. It was the wrong mindset at that time. Asking for votes and voting in such a way was wrong,” he said.

About his strategy in the upcoming elections, he said people had already tested him and he does not need to make any claims.

“I have shown my performance through my actions twice since 2008 as their elected representative. I hope this time again people will elect me and I don't need to make any more promises to the people,” he said.

Naseer Ahmad Rather said his party, AIP, has an edge in north Kashmir as during the parliamentary polls, the AIP wave started from Wagoora.

“I am hopeful that AIP wave will continue here this time as well,” he said.

Rather said that during parliamentary polls, AIP played a major role in the mass participation of the youth in voting and the election process.

“I am in the hearts of the people due to my profession and party. If I am sincere, I will win,” Rather said.