Will contest as independent candidate in Bandipora: Nizamuddin Bhat

Bandipora, Sep 04: Former MLA and senior leader Nizamuddin Bhat today said that he is contesting the assembly elections from the Bandipora constituency as an independent candidate.

Talking to media persons he said, “ I am contesting the polls as an independent candidate for the first time.”

Bhat parted ways with the PDP, where he was a senior leader, in 2021 to join the Peoples Conference (PC) and resigned from the party in June following the parliamentary elections.

Referring to PAGD, he said, "It did not remain united." Bhat added its agenda was the restoration of Article 370 and 35A. He said the PAGD's split brought "disunity," and personal party interests "brought disappointment and confusion."

Bhat noted that after 10 years Jammu and Kashmir is going to the polls but the situation is "no different," in terms of "unity and identity." He said resent parliamentary elections were also fought on individual interests.

He stated that political parties are wedded to "individual agendas," with "some of us desiring to crave for much-needed unity on larger issues."