Omar, eleven others file nomination papers in Ganderbal

Ganderbal, Sept 04: The political scene in Jammu and Kashmir is heating up as the assembly elections draw near, with several political leaders filing their nomination papers. On Wednesday, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among ten candidates who submitted their papers for the Ganderbal constituency. While 11 nomination forms were received by the Returning Officer, one candidate submitted two nominations.
Omar Abdullah, who is contesting under the banner of the National Conference (NC), was accompanied by senior party leaders and supporters as he filed his nomination at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ganderbal. His entry into the race is notable given that Ganderbal has long been a stronghold of the Abdullah family, with both NC founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah and incumbent party president Farooq Abdullah having represented the constituency in the past.
In addition to Omar Abdullah, IshfaqJabbar, a Patron of the Jammu & Kashmir United Movement (JKUM), has filed nomination papers. Senior Congress leader and District President of Ganderbal, SahilFarooq, expressed his disappointment with the party for conceding the Ganderbal seat to the National Conference. In response, Farooq has filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the Ganderbal constituency. He mentioned that the party did not respond to his proposal for a friendly contest between the Congress and the National Conference.
The Ganderbal constituency will also see Bashir Mir of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Kaiser Ahmad from the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) in the fray, both having filed their nominations on the same day.
Meanwhile, in the neighboringKangan constituency, PDP’s Syed Jamat Ali Shaheen also filed his nomination papers, accompanied by senior leader Bashir Ahmad Mir and other party workers. Kangan will witness a multi-cornered contest, with NC’s MianMehar Ali and GhulamRubaniTedwa of the AnarakshitSamaj Party also entering the race.
If sources are believed to be true Ganderbal constituency may see a crowded contest, with as many as 30 candidates will potentially filing their nominations against Omar Abdullah the Former Cheif Minister Of J&K. The last date for filing nominations is September 5, with scrutiny scheduled for the following day. Candidates have until September 9 to withdraw their names.
Polling for the second phase of the assembly elections is set for September 25, covering 26 constituencies across six districts: Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi.