Srinagar set for pivotal vote

Srinagar, Sep 24: Srinagar is on the cusp of a pivotal election set for Wednesday, marking the end of a decade-long hiatus in Assembly polls. The city's political landscape is undergoing an unprecedented transformation as established parties confront a surge of independent candidates, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive race across 8 Assembly constituencies.

This election, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, will see 7.44 lakh eligible voters, almost evenly split between males and females, deciding the fate of 93 candidates. What makes this election particularly noteworthy is the presence of 44 independent candidates, nearly half of the total contestants.

Srinagar, once considered a stronghold of the National Conference (NC), has witnessed a dramatic evolution in its political dynamics. The 2014 Assembly elections signalled a significant shift when the People's Democratic Party (PDP) secured 5 out of 8 seats. The current election sees further complications with the entry of Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party, Peoples Conference and a wave of independent candidates.

Political analysts say "This election isn't just about party loyalty anymore. It's about which candidate can best connect with a city looking for change."

The contest isn’t limited to NC and PDP; Altaf Bukhari's Apni Party has entered the fray, adding a new dimension to an already complex race. Bukhari, a former PDP leader who previously won the Amira Kadal seat, is contesting from Channapora, where he faces 7 rivals, including 3 independents. BJP  and the People’s Conference too have fielded its candidates.

In Habba Kadal, which has the highest number of contestants, 16 candidates are battling it out. Prominent figures like NC's Shamima Firdous and PDP’s Arif Laigaroo are facing stiff competition from 6 independent candidates, making the race unpredictable.

Likewise, in Khanyar, long considered NC’s impregnable fortress, Ali Muhammad Sagar, who has held the seat since 1996, is fighting against 9 others, including 6 independents. The presence of so many independent contenders adds an air of suspense to a race that was once seen as Sagar’s to lose.

Perhaps the most intriguing contest is in Zadibal, home to the largest voter population in Srinagar with 1,08,938 registered voters. Here, 10 candidates are in the running, including 6 independents, including Junaid Mattu, the former mayor of Srinagar. His entry as an independent has shaken up the race, further complicating the dynamics in a constituency that is already a melting pot of political ambitions.

In Central Shalteng, the NC-Congress alliance has fielded Tariq Hamid Karra, the J&K Congress chief. Interestingly, in this very constituency, NC’s Irfan Shah is contesting as an independent, setting up an unusual intra-party rivalry. Out of the 13 candidates in Shalteng, 8 are independents, ensuring that votes will be split, and the outcome remains far from predictable.

Eidgah, which has the lowest voter count at 59,994, is also witnessing an intense battle with 13 candidates, 6 of whom are independents. Lal Chowk and Hazratbal are similarly seeing a large number of independents challenging the dominance of established political parties, reflecting the desire for fresh voices in Srinagar’s political discourse. In Lal Chowk, 10 candidates are in the fray, with 4 independents, while Hazratbal has 13 candidates, 5 of them running independently.

Srinagar's electorate is almost evenly split between males (3.75 lakh) and females (3.73 lakh), making it one of the most gender-balanced voting populations in the UT.

The rise of independent candidates has upended traditional political calculations. Local political commentator Bashir Ahmad notes, "The surge of independents reflects a desire for fresh voices and new approaches. It's making the established parties nervous."

The streets of Srinagar are abuzz with political discourse. Shabir, a shopkeeper in downtown Srinagar, remarks, "For the first time in years, we feel like our vote can make a difference. There are so many choices now."