Srinagar: An unexpected turn of events marked the contest for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, as National Conference’s Aga Sayeed Ruhullah Mehdi clinched victory over People’s Democratic Party’s Waheed Parra by an astounding margin of more than 1.80 lakh votes.
The result, though surprising to many, was rooted in several key factors, primarily the enduring stronghold of the National Conference in the Srinagar constituency.
Generational voting patterns played a significant role in Mehdi’s triumph, as families with historical ties to the NC continued their unwavering support. Additionally, Mehdi garnered considerable support from Shia voters across the constituency, a demographic that typically held sway under the leadership of Imran Raza Ansari of the People’s Conference, who, notably, did not field a candidate in Srinagar but favoured Apni Party Candidate- Mohammad Ashraf Mir. This absence allowed Mehdi to consolidate Shia votes in his favor.
One of the pivotal reasons behind Parra’s defeat was his failure to secure anticipated votes from his stronghold areas. Furthermore, a higher voter turnout, attributed to extensive campaigning efforts by the NC, also contributed to Mehdi’s resounding victory.
The landscape of the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency underwent significant changes following the 2019 delimitation, which incorporated six seats from Shopian and Pulwama districts while excluding two assembly constituencies from Budgam district. Despite expectations of a fierce competition due to these alterations, Mehdi’s victory surpassed all projections.
Mehdi’s triumphant tally of 356,866 votes overshadowed Parra’s 168,450 votes, resulting in a staggering margin of 188,416 votes. Mohammad Ashraf Mir of the Apni Party trailed far behind with a total of 65,954 votes.
The voter turnout in Srinagar, which reached a 28-year high at 36.88%, reflected a significant departure from the constituency’s history of boycott politics. This surge in participation also marked a notable shift in the region’s electoral dynamics.
Counting day witnessed a spirited atmosphere at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center (SKICC), the designated venue for tallying votes. Tight security arrangements were in place, with a three-tier security cover comprising CAPF, Jammu Kashmir Police, and Security Wing personnel.
From the outset, Mehdi maintained a commanding lead over his rivals, culminating in a decisive victory by over 1.8 lakh votes. Supporters of the National Conference erupted in jubilation as Mehdi’s victory became apparent, while tension gripped the camps of rival candidates.
In a symbolic gesture of triumph, Mehdi arrived at SKICC in his own vehicle, greeted by cheering supporters and jubilant celebrations. Expressing gratitude to the electorate, Mehdi pledged to uphold their trust and aspirations, vowing to champion their concerns on the national stage—(KNO)
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