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| Test of popularity for Mufti, Azad | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 17: Other than heavy voter turnout, the most interesting feature of today sixth and second last phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir was perhaps the test of popularity for two former Chief Ministers –Mufti Mohammad Syeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad.
Both were not in fray in 2002 elections and both had later sought re-elections at different points in time. They won with landslide margins in by-elections but this time there was contest.
Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s choice of constituency was obvious and natural –his home village and township of Bhaderwah. Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti, however, took a challenge –going to a new constituency and taking on an opponent who is already in a formidable position.
While Mirza Mehboob Baig was a sitting legislator in Anantnag facing Mufti; in Bhaderwah Azad was in a triangular contest with Mohammad Aslam Goni of National Conference and Daya Kishan Kotwal of BJP. 65 per cent of votes were today polled in Bhaderwah and Anantnag recorded an ‘impressive’ turnout of 37 per cent. In 2002 only seven percent people had voted in Anantnag constituency.
In Bhaderwah, Azad had won the seat with a huge margin of 58,000 in a by-election in April 2006. His nearest BJP rival had lost his deposit. This time around, there are 19 candidates in the fray in this constituency.
Azad, a Congress candidate, is safely placed in Bhaderwah although Mohammad Aslam Goni of the National Conference (NC) is expected to give a semblance of a contest. Mujib Ali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not have much of a following, while the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Daya Krishan Kotwal is expected to garner some Hindu votes.
Shazia Wafai, a housewife, said: "I will vote for Azad so that he can become chief minister again." Many in the constituency were angry that Azad was made to quit as chief minister following the Amarnath land row by the Kashmir-centric PDP.
Imtiyaz Khateeb, a college student, said he and his friends have "decided to vote for Azad". "After casting our vote, we will get others to vote as early as possible," he added. NC supporters too were eager to vote early for Goni, whose family has strong roots in the town.
"Azad is good but we have to look at the larger picture. I don't think the Congress will be able to form the government this time," said Javed Iqbal, who is a long time NC supporter. Azad had started a series of development works in the areas, improving roads and increasing access to educational institutions.
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