Ruhulla throws hat in Srinagar ring, heats up LS battle

Srinagar, Apr 25: The battle for the Srinagar parliamentary seat is shaping up to be an intense affair, with more than 30 candidates throwing their hats into the ring, making it the most crowded electoral field in the region so far. 

On Thursday, the final day for filing nominations, the contest further intensified as Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a senior leader from the influential National Conference (NC) party, submitted his papers, joining the already long list of 22 candidates vying for this crucial seat.

The high-stakes nature of the Srinagar constituency has drawn aspirants from across the political spectrum, setting the stage for a hard-fought electoral battle. With multiple parties and independent candidates in the fray, voters in the region can expect a flurry of campaigning and promises as the candidates seek to woo the electorate.

Details available with the Morning Kashmir said that 39 candidates have filed their nomination papers till today for the seat. Of the total 39 candidates, 12 among them have filed their nomination papers as independent candidates.

Prominent amongst the candidates include NC’s Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and Apni Party leader Muhammad Ashraf Mir. Jibran Dar, who has been very vocal against the existing political parties in Jammu & Kashmir, is also in the fray to vie for the seat.
A massive crowd of workers and leaders from INDI Alliance partners including National Conference and Congress marched towards the Returning Officer’s office here in Tanki Pora in support of their joint candidate Aga Ruhullah.
Ruhullah after filing his nomination papers stated that he is not fighting the elections for any competition, but has come forward to speak on behalf of the people about their problems and sentiments.
Pertinently, Salman Sagar also submitted his nomination papers from National Conference as a covering candidate.
Similarly, Hakikat Singh from National Panthers Party Bhim, Rakesh Handu from J&K National United Front, Amir Ahmad Bhat from Democratic Progressive Azad Party and Qaiser Sultan Ganai covering candidate of Democratic Progressive Azad Party also submitted their nomination papers before the RO 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency,
Likewise, Ashiq Hussain from Rastriya Jan Kranti Party, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat from Gana Suraksha Party, Suraya Nissar from National Republic Party of India and Farooq Ahmad Bhat from National Youth Party also filed nominations from 02-Srinagar Lok Sabha Seat.
The candidates who filled their nomination papers as independent candidates for the 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency include Wahida Tabasum, Dr. Qazi Ashraf, Fida Hussain Dar, Abdul Hamid Rather, Arun Kumar Raina, Bansi Lal Bhat, Saquib Rahman Makhdoomi, Shadib Hanief, Javaid Ahmad Wani, Jehangir Ahmad Sheikh, Shabir Ahmad Malik and Sajad Ahmad Dar.
With the filling of 22 (Twenty-Two) Nominations today (Thursday-April 25, 2024) i.e last Date of Nomination Filing in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, the total number of Candidates who filed their Candidature for 02-Srinagar Lok Sabha Seat reached to 39(Thirty-Nine), as 17(Seventeen) Candidates have already filed their Nominations papers on April 22, 2024(Monday), April 23, 2024(Tuesday) and April 24, 2024(Wednesday).