National Conference reclaims its fortress in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 8: In a dramatic turn of events that has reshaped the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC)-Congress Alliance has achieved a resounding victory in the Srinagar district—capturing all eight assembly seats. This sweeping win reaffirms the NC's traditional stronghold and sends a powerful message about the Valley's political preferences.

Historically, Srinagar has been the crown jewel for the National Conference (NC), a party with a deep-rooted legacy in Jammu & Kashmir politics. However, the political terrain has evolved dramatically. In the 2014 Assembly elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) dealt a blow to NC’s dominance by snatching 5 out of the 8 seats in Srinagar city. However, this time NC has reclaimed its fortress. Veteran NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar further cemented his political legacy by securing his fifth consecutive term. Sagar's victory margin of 9,912 votes, with a total of 14,906 votes, demonstrates his enduring popularity. The defeat of independent candidate Sheikh Imran, who received 4,994 votes, underscores the challenge faced by non-aligned candidates in NC strongholds.

The Habba Kadal constituency, notable for its significant migrant voter population exceeding 25,000, saw NC's Shamima Firdous successfully defend her seat. Firdous secured a convincing win with 12,437 votes, leading by 9,538 votes. The poor showing of BJP's Ashok Kumar Bhat (2,899 votes) and PDP's Arif Laigaroo (602 votes) in this constituency is particularly significant, given the demographic composition of the electorate.

Perhaps the most surprising result came from Amira Kadal, where NC's Mushtaq Guroo defeated Apni Party supremo Altaf Bukhari by 5,588 votes. Guroo's victory, securing 13,717 votes against Bukhari's 8,029, represents a major upset and could have far-reaching implications for the Apni Party's future in the region. In Lal Chowk, another key constituency, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad of the NC defeated former MLA and minister Muhammad Ashraf Mir by a substantial margin of 11,343 votes. This result further solidifies the alliance's dominance across diverse areas of Srinagar.

The Eidgah constituency witnessed a closely fought battle, with NC's Mubarik Gul clinching victory by a slim margin of 1,680 votes. Gul's win, securing 7,700 votes against independent candidate Ghulam Nabi Bhat's 6,020, reflects the competitive nature of politics in this area. The PDP's candidate, Khurshid, finished third with 3,302 votes, indicating a shift in the constituency's political allegiances.

Hazratbal, a constituency of significant political importance, saw a fierce contest between the NC and PDP. NC's Salman Sagar emerged victorious with a substantial lead of 10,295 votes, garnering 18,890 votes against PDP's Asiea Naqash's 8,595. This result is particularly noteworthy given Hazratbal's status as a bellwether constituency.

At Zadibal, NC candidate Tanvir Sadiq recorded an impressive victory, winning by a margin of 16,173 votes. Sadiq's 22,189 votes dwarfed the 6,016 votes of his nearest competitor, Abid Ansari. The performance of former Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, who received only 2,700 votes, indicates a significant shift in local political dynamics.

At Batmaloo, J&K Congress president and Congress-NC alliance candidate Tariq Hameed Karra emerged as the clear favourite, securing a commanding victory with a margin of 14395. Karra's win underscores the enduring appeal of established regional NC figures. His closest rival, Muhammad Irfan Shah, managed to secure only 4,538 votes, highlighting the significant gap between the NC and other contenders in this constituency.

The NC-Congress Alliance's clean sweep in Srinagar district marks a seismic shift in the region's political landscape. This comprehensive victory challenges pre-election predictions and forces a reassessment of voter behaviour in the Kashmir Valley.