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| Ganderbal may turn tables against NC | | |
Mustansir
SRINAGAR, May 2: National Conference President and Union Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah is fighting the toughest battle of his life in Srinagar-Budgam constituency comprising 15 Assembly segments. Abdullah's main contest is with People's Democratic Party's (PDP) Tariq Hameed Qarra even as a dozen other candidates are also in the fray.
However, what could certainly destabilize the grand old party in Kashmir is its erosion in Ganderbal Assembly segment represented by none other than the Chief Minister and son of Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah. The trend in Ganderbal suggest that NC is trailing in that constituency and if on May 16-the counting day- it actually happens so, the National Conference would certainly be in great trouble as according to the observers Ganderbal may play a crucial role in the vote tally on that day.
Ganderbal has remained a bastion for ruling NC over the decades, but in the recent past differences have emerged among the party workers. Some estranged senior members have also quit the party. Experts, however, believe that anti-incumbency has worked more than anything in Ganderbal, even more than the expulsion of senior leaders Ghulam Ahmad Saloora and Mohammad Yousuf Bhat. According to them, though no so significant as for the number is concerned, PDP is certainly leading in that constituency by a thin margin of 2 to 3 thousand votes.
"It is not going to be an easy sail for the party this time around due to serious intrusions made by PDP in Ganderbal," said a political observer. He added the apprehension that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah may not contest Assembly elections from Ganderbal has also had a demoralizing impact on local NC cadre.
Many believe that Ganderbal will be a deciding factor for Srinagar Parliamentary seat owing to great anti-incumbancy factor that was quite visible on polling day viz April 30.
The two seats from Ganderbal district are represented by National Conference- Ganderbal by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Kangan by Forest Minister Mian Altaf Ahmad. Altaf's influence in Kangan, according to observers believe could not save NC from political disaster this time as the resentment against Abdullah family is beyond comprehension, said an observer.
Pertinently Altaf has won all the elections since 1987 and NC had been looking at him as saviour for Abdullah which did not happen because PDP has built inroads in Kangan.
What was worrying the PDP leaders who depend largely on anti-incumbency factor, unemployment, corruption and mis-governance, was the separatist boycott call, which, however, could not impact to that extent which could have been disturbing for the party. |
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