Five candidates file nomination papers in Kulgam, Anantnag

Kulgam, Aug 23: As many as five candidates submitted their nomination papers to the concerned Returning Officers in Kulgam and Anantnag for the assembly elections on Friday.
The notification for the elections was issued on August 20, and the last date to submit the nomination papers is August 27 by 3 pm, as announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In Kulgam, which comprises three assembly constituencies, senior National Conference leader Sakina Itoo, accompanied by party’s Vice President Omar Abdullah, filed her nomination.
Later, Apni Party leader and former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Noorabad, Abdul Majeed Padder filed his nomination from the Damhal-Hanjipora (D H Pora) assembly constituency.
From the Devsar constituency, senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni filed his nomination. In the Kulgam assembly constituency, Nazir Ahmad Laway of the People’s Conference (PC) filed his nomination.
Similarly, in the Anantnag district, which comprises seven constituencies, senior PDP leader and former Member of Parliament, Dr Mehboob Beg filed his nomination from the Anantnag (main) constituency.
“I am hopeful as the candidates we have announced are based on merit,” Beg said, adding, “I’m optimistic that the people of South Kashmir will once again rally behind the PDP.”
After filing nomination papers, NC leader Sakina Itoo said, “Thank Allah, the much-awaited moment has finally arrived after a wait of 10 years. Today, we submitted our nominations, and we are hopeful of the people’s mandate. We believe that the people will give us the strength to serve them and address their issues that have remained unresolved for the past 10 years.”
Apni Party’s Abdul Majeed Padder expressed, “We request people to vote as they now have an opportunity after 10 years to form their own government. The bureaucracy has not provided solutions, and the people have suffered greatly. We congratulate the people on the chance to elect representatives who will serve them best,”
Sartaj Madni remarked, “The PDP decided to nominate me from the Devsar constituency because it is the only party that works in the best interest of the people, led by Mehbooba Mufti. The PDP has always been committed to development and finding a political solution to the issues. We urge the people that if they want Jammu & Kashmir to become a beacon of peace, it is only the PDP and Mehbooba Mufti that need their support.”
People’s Conference’s Nazir Ahmad Laway said, “Our priority is to address the problems people have faced over the past 30 years, as well as the issues concerning the youth. We will raise these issues during the elections, and we will also focus on the needs of orphans and widows. If we win, addressing these issues will be our top priority.”