Beerwah, Sep 4, KNT: In the Beerwah Assembly Segment of Central Kashmir’s Budgam, a high-stakes political battle is unfolding as at least four prominent leaders from different parties vie for the coveted seat. The contenders include PDP’s Ghulam Ahmed Khan, NC’s Dr. Shafi, Apni Party’s Syed Muzaffar Rizvi, and Awami Itihad Party’s Nazir Khan.
Ghulam Ahmed Khan, a veteran politician who recently switched to PDP after being denied a ticket by NC, is a strong contender. Meanwhile, NC has fielded former MLA and former PDP leader Dr. Shafi, who enjoys significant support in the constituency.
Apni Party’s Syed Muzaffar Rizvi, a former Hurriyat leader, is also in the fray, bringing a unique blend of political experience and grassroots support. Nazir Khan, who narrowly lost to Omar Abdullah in the last Assembly election, has joined Engineer Rashid’s Awami Itihad Party, which has become a haven for leaders seeking a new political home.
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Other notable candidates include Sajad Lone-led Peoples Conference’s Showkat Ahmed Wani, Awami National Conference’s Showkat Hussain Mir, and several Independent candidates.
According to ground reports, the contest is likely to be triangular, with NC holding a strong position due to the open support of its incumbent MP, Rahulla Mehdi, who wields significant influence in the Beerwah constituency. Political observers feel that if NC gives a ticket for Budgam Constituency to Aga Mahmood it will further bolster Dr Shafi’s chances.
Aga Mahmood boasts a dedicated voter base in the Beerwah region, which could significantly benefit NC if he secures the party’s nomination in Budgam. Notably, NC dominated the recent parliamentary elections, leading in almost every block of Beerwah. If this trend continues, NC candidate Dr. Shafi is likely to capitalize on this momentum. However, PDP’s Ghulam Ahmed Khan is also a formidable contender, and his entry into the party is expected to erode some of NC’s vote share. Political analysts concede that NC has an initial advantage, but the competition will be intense due to the influence wielded by new entrants to PDP and AIP in various parts of the Beerwah Assembly segment. [KNT]
