Early Times Report
Jammu, May 28: Separatist turned mainstream politician Sajad Lone is losing ground in Kashmir, especially in north Kashmir, with the National Conference and the Awami Etihad Party gaining lead in the area.
Sajad, who was being seen as Chief Ministerial candidate after he spilt Peoples Democratic Party last year after the collapse of PDP-NC alliance, couldn't show any big achievement in the Parliament elections held recently.
His rival, Engineer Rashid led AIP that had only one legislator in the last Assembly took lead in five Assembly segments in north Kashmir in the Parliamentary polls for Baramulla.
The five Assembly segments include Karnah, Langate, Uri, Gulmarg and Baramulla.
The Peoples Conference, on the other hand, managed to take lead only from Handwara and Pattan Assembly segments where from PC President Sajad Lone and Imran Ansari, then PDP MLA, had won Assembly polls in last elections.
The PC had won two seats in 2014 Assembly polls but the other seat has gone to Engineer Rashid in the Parliament polls this time.
Analysts said north Kashmir was seen as the bastion of the Sajad Lone and his party as he was expecting to be elected victorious from his native area.
It is pertinent to mention that Sajad Lone hails from Handwara and the PC that was floated by his father late Abdul Gani Lone had voter base in the region.
"Peoples Conference is old party but they have not been able to show strength in polls for Baramulla seat," said a professor at Jammu University. Sources said the National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party are happy with the performance of their party and also of Er Rashid in north Kashmir.
The Assembly elections are expected |
