Srinagar, May 23: The high-stakes Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary battle has sparked curiosity over whether history will repeat itself with the NC-Congress bonhomie carrying the day, or if it will be an existential fight for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to regain lost ground.As the cross-regional constituency goes to polls on May 25, all eyes are on the two main electoral fronts – the reinvigorated NC-Congress alliance banking on their time-tested vote transfers versus the PDP’s bid for revivalism after being relegated to the sidelines.
As far as the previous records are concerned, on the crucial Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, formerly Anantnag seat, the parliamentary elections have been held so far 13 times while the National Conference (NC) has registered victory six times followed by Congress that has four triumphs in its kitty since 1967.
For the ideological allies NC and Congress, victory here would reaffirm their unshakeable partnership and representation of the combined Kashmiri-Dogra aspirations. However, a strong showing by the PDP, contesting in alliance with smaller parties, could breathe new life into its fight for political relevance.
The high-stakes campaigning for the crucial Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat reached its crescendo on Thursday, with the mandated campaign silence period now in effect across the constituency’s 18 assembly segments. These include 7 in Anantnag, 4 in Rajouri, 3 each in Kulgam and Poonch, and 1 in Shopian district.
As the political gladiators holstered their rhetoric after a gruelling marathon of public outreach, the battlefield has shifted to 2,338 polling stations spread across the region. Come Saturday, these will witness an army of around 9,352 polling personnel, including a dedicated team of 4 election officials per booth, charged with overseeing the all-important exercise of democracy.
After drawing mammoth crowds in a high-decibel campaign blitzkrieg, major parties in Jammu and Kashmir are now gearing up for an intriguing showdown as 1,830,294 voters, including 930,379 males, 899,888 females and 27 from the third gender, get set to seal the fates of 20 candidates vying for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary berth.
