Bandipora, Sept 22: In the heart of this north Kashmir town, the political atmosphere is buzzing with anticipation as Bandipora Assembly constituency goes to polls in the third phase on October 1.
Among the key contenders are former MLA Nizam ud Din Bhat, who joined the Congress recently and Usman Majeed, also a former legislator, who is contesting as an independent candidate this time.
Notably, in the National Conference-Congress alliance Bandipora seat has been allotted to the Congress in the seat-sharing pact. Bhat joining the grand old party is seen as a major boost with the seat being jointly contested by the Congress-NC alliance.
With the recent 2022 delimitation reshaping the electoral landscape, Bhat is seen as a strong contender, particularly with the Naidkhai area, which was earlier part of Sonawari constituency, now part of the Bandipora segment.
Bhat’s campaign is fuelled by a sense of optimism with a notable shift occurring as the youth increasingly connect with the political philosophy of the veteran politician. His emphasis on inclusivity, development, and grassroots empowerment resonates deeply with younger voters who are eager for change and representation.
Bhat’s commitment to addressing pressing local issues—such as unemployment and education—has sparked enthusiasm among the youth, who see him as a leader capable of bridging the gap between traditional values and modern aspirations.
“The people of Bandipora deserve a representative who understands their needs and can help them out of the current turmoil. I have always fought for the rights of the people of Bandipora,” he says during rallies. His message resonates with voters, many of whom felt a renewed sense of hope.
Bhat’s main rival is Usman Majeed, who quit the Altaf-Bukhari led Apni Party and is contesting as an independent candidate. While Majeed won the seat in 2002 and 2014, Bhat represented Bandipora from 2008-2014.
The vote bank of Akbar Lone, a seasoned National Conference leader with deep roots in the Naikkhai area, holds the key, political observers say. With Bhats and Lones having long familial ties, the dynamics have shifted.
The Naidkhai area, historically a bastion for Lone, now presents a unique opportunity for Bhat to emerge winner in a tight race for Bandipora seat. “Bhat understands the issues we face and he has invested in the community. I believe he can bring real change,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Kaloosa.
This sentiment was echoed throughout Bandipora, where voters seemed eager for a fresh perspective. “Bhat is someone who could modernize the approach to governance while respecting the area’s traditions,” they said.
With Bhat’s potential edge stemming from the new boundaries and a strong local connection, the outcome is anyone’s guess.
Home voting commences in B’pora
Bandipora, Septr 24: The Home voting process commenced officially today across the Bandipora District and will continue until September 26.
This initiative is designed to facilitate eligible PWD voters with 40 percent benchmark disability and Senior citizens above 85 years of age, who are unable to cast their vote on the designated polling day.
A total of 41 teams have been established to conduct home voting smoothly, across the district.
At Bandipora, District Election Officer (DEO) Manzoor Ahmad Qadri along with RO 15-Bandipora Shabir Ahmad Wani flagged-off the Home voting teams of 15-Bandipora AC and at Sumbal, AERO flagged-off home voting teams for the 14-Sonawari Assembly constituency while as at Gurez, SDM/RO 16-Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad flagged-off the Home voting teams for 16-Gurez AC.
The DEO along with RO Shabir Ahmad Wani and Nodal Officer PVC Dr. Naseer Ahmad Baba also inaugurated the postal voting centre at the Mini Secretariat Bandipora to further facilitate the voting process.
The DEO said that 504 eligible voters have opted for home voting. Additionally, the district has received 888 applications from service voters, leading to the establishment of postal voting centers at the RO level across all three assembly constituencies.
DEO stated that, the home voting and postal voting initiatives are aimed at ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in the electoral process and all arrangements have been meticulously planned to guarantee a seamless voting experience for everyone.
