Son rises in Kangan

Kangan, Aug 24: As the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, to be held after a gap of 10 years, draws closer, several new and old faces including sons and daughters of some established political leaders in the state, are gearing up to make their electoral debut.

The assembly elections next month will see a fourth generation from the influential Mian family contesting from the family bastion of Kangan.

Mian Mehar Ali, son of a veteran National Conference leader and sitting Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad, is stepping into the fray from a family bastion represented by his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather since 1957.

Mehar Ali is likely to contest from the Kangan assembly constituency, which is now an ST-reserved seat.

Although no formal announcement of a mandate has been made by the NC so far, sources said that Mehar Ali is considered the best choice and a strong candidate.

They said that the name of Mian Mehar Ali had been almost finalised and would be announced with the issue of notification for the second phase of polls.

Mehar Ali would succeed his father Mian Altaf Ahmad, who has been continuously winning the assembly elections from the Kangan assembly constituency since 1987.

Mian Altaf has been a five-time MLA from Kangan and recently in his parliament elections debut, emerged winner from the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency by a huge margin of votes.

Mian Altaf is considered to be among the most influential politicians across J&K.

Locals said that being available to the people has made him more close to the people of Kangan.

Mian Altaf’s win in the parliamentary elections paved the way for his son to jump into the electoral fray.

Mians have an impressive political profile in the region.

Although Mehar Ali does not have much experience in politics, however, the legacy of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather has been a major factor for him to decide to step into their shoes and carry forward the legacy.

Brought up in a family with an impressive political profile is seen as a key element for him to enter the political process.

Sources said that since the announcement of the elections, Mehar Ali has been actively participating in the meetings and interaction with the supporters and in the past several days, many people have joined the NC in the presence of Ali.

It now remains to be seen whether Mehar Ali will follow the path of his father’s success or the constituency will spring some surprise in the upcoming assembly elections.

NC has over the years faced stiff competition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kangan and this time with the Kangan seat reserved for ST, PDP has fielded a noted figure Syed Jamaat Ali Shaheen from Kangan.

Although Shaheen does not bring any political background, the influence of some local leaders from PDP would make it an interesting competition.