Eidgah Constituency:
Congress President for Srinagar may contest as Independent
Srinagar, Aug 31, KNT: The Eidgah Constituency in Srinagar has become a hotbed of discontent and rebellion. The recent decision by the NC-INC alliance to field NC’s Mubarak Gul as the candidate has sent shockwaves among the supporters of INC youth leader Imtiyaz Khan. The latter’s exclusion from the electoral fray has ignited protests, with multiple videos surfacing of his supporters imploring him to contest as an Independent candidate.
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Imtiyaz Khan’s reputation as a diligent and connected leader has earned him a vast following in the constituency. Locals view him as an honest and dedicated politician. With an estimated investment of over Rs 1.50 crore, Khan has left an indelible mark on the area. His initiatives, funded by former INC chief Saifuddin Soz’s MP fund, include renovating a playground at Sangam, repairing fencing and walls of graveyards, lanes, and bye-lanes and establishing a computer centre at Palapora Higher Secondary School.
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His supporters feel betrayed by the NC-INC alliance’s decision to overlook him. Unlike many leaders who remained dormant, his post-abrogation activism has further endeared him to the masses. The sentiment on the ground is palpable – Imtiyaz Khan must contest the elections.
When approached, Khan expressed his respect for the party’s decision but acknowledged the overwhelming pressure from his supporters. “If people pressurize me, I will be left with no option but to contest as an Independent candidate,” he told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The Eidgah Constituency, set to go to polls on September 25, is poised for a thrilling contest. Mubarak Gul from NC and Khurshid Aalam from PDP are the main candidates, but Imtiyaz Khan’s potential entry could upset the applecart. Sources suggest that even former Union Minister and Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz had advocated for Khan’s candidacy, writing to INC president Malik Arjun Kharge to encourage the youth leader. [KNT]
