12 candidates, including 9 party affiliates & 4 independents, in fray; AIP’s Naseer Botany to be dark horse, says analysts
Srinagar: The Wagoora-Kreeri assembly constituency in north Kashmir’s Baramulla is gearing up for a fierce battle between Congress candidate Irfan Hafiz Lone and People’s Demcoratic Party’s Syed Basharat Bukhari.According to the constituency, which has seen intense political activity in the past, has 12 candidates in the fray, including 9 party affiliates and 4 independents. The constituency has 72,173 eligible voters, with 36,669 males and 35,501 females. The voting will take place at 98 polling stations.Analysts believe that Awami Ittehad Party-backed candidate Naseer Ahmed Rather, also known as Naseer Botany, may have a significant influence over voters if Engineer Rashid’s campaign creates a wave across the constituency. Rashid’s son had succeeded in the parliamentary polls.The main contenders are Irfan Hafiz Lone of the NC-Congress alliance and Syed Basharat Bukhari of the PDP. Other prominent candidates include Safina Beig and Naseer Ahmed Rather, who may also have a significant vote share.Irfan Hafiz LoneIrfan Hafiz Lone, an advocate by profession, has a strong political background. His father, Hafizullah Lone, was associated with the Congress. Irfan won in the DDC elections and was elected as the DDC member for Sangrama (now part of the Sopore assembly constituency).Syed Basharat BukhariSyed Basharat Bukhari is a two-time Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the erstwhile Sangrama constituency. He won in 2008 and 2014 elections. In 2008, he secured 7,812 votes, while his closest opponent Shoaib Nabi Lone secured 6,482 votes. In 2014, he won with 12,146 votes, while Shoaib Nabi Lone secured 10,392 votes.Safina BeigSafina Beig has a strong political career. Her husband, Muzzafar Hussain Beig, has been a two-time MLA in 2008 and 2002. Safina has served as Chairperson of the Hajj Committee and was elected as the DDC Chairperson with 10 votes.Naseer Ahmed RatherNaseer Ahmed Rather is a government employee who was earlier associated with the National Conference but later joined Engineer Rashid’s AIP.It is worth mentioning that post-delimitation, the Wagoora-Kreeri assembly constituency came into existence, which was previously part of the erstwhile Sangrama assembly constituency. The delimitation process merged Sangrama block and major parts of Tehsil khoie with Sopore assembly constituency, giving both Bukhari and Hafiz an advantage—(KNO)
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