Kashmir's political titans defy electoral odds since 1996

Srinagar, Oct 14: In the volatile world of Kashmir politics, where victories and defeats are as unpredictable as the Valley’s weather, three veteran politicians have achieved a remarkable feat.

Ali Muhammad Sagar and Mubarak Gul of the National Conference (NC), along with Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have maintained an unbroken winning streak in assembly elections since 1996, defying the usual ebb and flow of political fortunes.

These seasoned lawmakers have weathered every storm, from the outbreak of militancy in the 1990s to the recent downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir's status to a Union Territory and the revocation of its special status.

Their political resilience has been nothing short of extraordinary.

NC's General Secretary and former minister, Ali Muhammad Sagar clinched his seventh consecutive term in the recent elections.

The 66-year-old Srinagar strongman secured the Khanyar seat, defeating independent candidate and former Srinagar Deputy Mayor Sheikh Imran by a substantial margin of 9912 votes.

Sagar’s political journey began at the age of 25 when he first won the Batamaloo seat in 1983, successfully defending it in 1987.

Since 1996, he has made Khanyar his electoral fortress, winning five back-to-back terms.

Mubarak Gul, another NC stalwart and former Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly, secured his sixth consecutive term from the Eidgah constituency in Srinagar.

In a nail-biting contest, Gul edged out independent candidate Ghulam Nabi Bhat by a margin of 1680 votes.

Gul’s political career includes a stint as Speaker from 2013 to 2015 and as an advisor to former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

Completing this triumvirate of undefeated politicians is CPI (M) leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, who clinched his fifth straight term from the Kulgam seat in south Kashmir.

Tarigami’s latest victory came with a comfortable margin of 7838 votes over his closest rival, Jamaat-backed independent candidate Sayyar Ahmad Reshi.

This win further cements Tarigami’s unbroken record since 1996.

While these three politicians stand out for their uninterrupted winning streaks since 1996, other Kashmir politicians have also shown impressive electoral resilience.

Nazir Gurezi has remained undefeated since 2002, while Shamima Firdous has maintained her winning streak since 2008.

The political landscape of Kashmir nearly saw another undefeated streak in NC’s Abdul Rahim Rather, who won seven assembly elections. However, his run came to an end in 2014 when he lost to PDP’s Ghulam Nabi Lone (Hanjura).

As Kashmir continues to navigate through complex political waters, the enduring success of Sagar, Gul, and Tarigami serves as a testament to their political acumen and the trust they have built with their constituents.