Srinagar, Apr 22: In a significant political development in the north Kashmir parliamentary constituency, the Apni Party led by Syed Altaf Bukhari has thrown its weight behind Sajad Gani Lone of the Peoples Conference (PC) for the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat. Addressing a news conference, Bukhari announced that while his party won’t field a direct candidate, it would extend full support to Lone, potentially giving the PC a boost in its fight against the formidable National Conference led by Omar Abdullah.
“We have fielded our candidates from Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituencies, but in the north we will extend our support to the PC led by Sajad Gani Lone,” Bukhari said.
However, Apni Party’s support to PC in north Kashmir is seen as a major boost to Sajad Gani Lone, who has a stronghold in Kupwara and other adjacent areas.
With this move, a tough competition is expected in Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency where the direct contest is expected between Sajad Gani Lone and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah.
A total of 11.90 lakh including 6.24 lakh male and 5.66 lakh female are set to cast their ballots in 15 assembly segments on 20th May, 2024 in Baramulla constituency.
The constituency witnessed 38.94 per cent turnout in 2019 parliamentary polls in which NC’s Muhammad Akbar Lone emerged victorious by securing 1.33 lakh votes followed by Peoples Conference’s (PC) Raja Aijaz Ali got 1.03 lakh votes while Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) President Engineer Abdul Rashid bagged 1.02 lakh votes and Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Abdul Qayoom Wani secured 53,530 votes.
The National Conference (NC) candidate defeated the PC candidate in 2019 Lok Sabha polls with a margin of just 6.8 per cent.
Meanwhile, Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone conveyed his sincere gratitude to Apni Party leadership, especially its President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, for extending their support to JKPC in Baramulla Parliamentary constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Lone stated that after requesting Apni Party’s support, their positive response has been “very warming”. “I express my sincere gratitude to Syed Altaf Bukhari and leaders of the Apni Party for extending support to our party in the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, in response to our request for support,” Lone remarked.
He extended his best wishes to the Apni Party and Peoples Conference leaders for the forthcoming electoral contests.
