Nomination papers for jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati filed in Ganderbal, Beerwah

Ganderbal, Sep 05: A week after his nomination papers were rejected from the Zainapora constituency in South Kashmir, jailed cleric Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, also known as Sarjan Barkati, filed his nomination papers at the office of the Returning Officer Ganderbal today.

The nomination papers were submitted by Adil Nazir Khan on behalf of the Barkati on Thursday which was the last day of filing nomination papers for second phase.

Talking to media persons after filing the nomination papers, Khan said that it has been decided that jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati will contest from the Ganderbal Assembly seat now.

He added that they will submit the nomination papers from Beerwah assembly constituency as well. "Sarjan Barkati will contest the Ganderbal and Beerwah seats. He is willing to join the democratic process and he must be allowed to do so," Khan said.

The Ganderbal constituency which is traditionally seen as a stronghold of the Abdullahs. The NC has fielded Omar, who last won the seat in 2008, this time. Independent MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has fielded former Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president Sheikh Ashiq, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded Bashir Ahmad Mir.

DPAP has fielded Qaisar Sultan besides former MLA and JKUM president Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar is also in fray for Ganderbal seat, which is part of the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir's assembly elections scheduled for September 25.

Meanwhile, former KCCI president and Awami Itehaad Party (AIP) candidate Sheikh Ashiq on Thursday filed his nomination papers with the returning officer Ganderbal AC-18 here.

The last date for filing nominations for the second phase is September 5, while a scrutiny of the documents will take place on September 6. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 9. Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to go to polls in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, and the counting of votes will be taken up on October 8.

According to news agencies’ reports, Sugra Barkati, daughter of Sarjan, was accompanied by several persons during the filing of nomination papers for her father. She appealed the people to vote for her jailed father and ensure his victory in assembly polls.