LS polls: NC nominates Omar Abdullah for North Kashmir, Ruhullah Mehdi for Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 12: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday declared that Omar Abdullah, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, will run for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat while Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a prominent Shia leader, will contest from Central Kashmir, the party’s stronghold.
Omar had previously said he would not participate in assembly elections until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was reinstated following its reorganisation into two union territories and the revocation of Article 370.
The Baramulla constituency, now spanning 18 assembly segments and including four districts, is set for a significant electoral battle, particularly between the National Conference and Sajad Gani Lone of the Peoples Conference. The constituency has been reshaped by delimitation, incorporating Shia-majority areas, which are expected to be pivotal in the upcoming contest.
Historically, the NC has had a strong hold on the Baramulla seat, winning it multiple times. In the 2019 general elections, NC’s Mohammad Akbar Lone emerged victorious. Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who is currently detained, had a notable influence in the previous elections and his party plans to nominate him again despite his incarceration.
This election marks Omar Abdullah’s return to Lok Sabha contests since 2009. His political career includes being the youngest Lok Sabha member at 28, serving as Union Minister, and leading the NC. He also served as Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister following an alliance with Congress.
The Srinagar constituency, traditionally dominated by the NC, has been redefined to cover more districts and assembly segments. The NC has fielded Mian Altaf for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat and is collaborating with Congress for other seats in the region.