Main contest between PDF chief and NC’s Saif-Ud-Din Bhat; 10 candidates in fray
Srinagar: The Khansahib Assembly Constituency in central Kashmir’s Budgam district is set for a keenly contested political battle between the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF).While the constituency is expected to see a direct contest between PDF chairman Hakeem Yaseen and PDF’s Saif-Ud-Din Bhat, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Manzoor Ahmad Wani, is also anticipated to secure a good share of votes.Yaseen, Bhat and Wani, seven other candidates are vying for the seat. These include Dr Ali Mohammad Mir of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Reyaz Ahmad Batana of the Apni Party (AP), Shahnaz Hussain Shah of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Firdouse Ahmad Shah of the Peoples Conference (PC), along with three independent candidates – Jahangir Sheikh, Syed Basharat and Mudasir Shah.Hakeem Yaseen has represented the Khansahib constituency multiple times over the past five decades and is considered one of the main contenders for the seat. Political analysts believe the primary competition will be between Hakeem Yaseen and Saif-Ud-Din, who previously contested the last two elections on a PDP ticket.Analysts also suggest that PDP’s Manzoor Ahmad Wani could secure a good vote share, given the party’s significant support base in the area.They further note that first-time voters and those from newly added areas in the constituency could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.The Khansahib constituency has 94,612 registered voters, including 48,140 male voters, 46,467 female voters, and five third-gender voters.In the 2014 elections, the Khansahib constituency had a total of 86,041 electors, with 69,828 valid votes cast. Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen Shah, representing the People’s Democratic Front (Secular), won the seat, securing 26,649 votes. PDP candidate Saif-Ud-Din came second with 25,540 votes, losing by 1,109 votes.In the 2008 elections, the constituency had 72,169 electors, with 53,930 valid votes cast. Hakeem Yaseen won with 22,616 votes, while PDP’s Saif-Ud-Din Bhat secured 14,221 votes, losing by 8,395 votes.In the 2002 elections, there were 60,645 electors, with 30,028 valid votes cast. Hakeem Yaseen, then Independent candidate, won with 20,186 votes, defeating the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference candidate Abdul Gani Naseem, who secured 4,393 votes, by a margin of 15,793 votes.In the 1996 elections, the constituency had 51,700 electors and 31,448 valid votes cast. The National Conference candidate Abdul Gani Naseem won with 12,785 votes, defeating Janata Dal candidate Nazir Ahmad Khan, who received 6,254 votes, by 6,531 votes.In 1987, the constituency had 42,869 electors, with 34,526 valid votes cast. Indian National Congress candidate Ghulam Mohammad Mir won with 24,180 votes, while Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference candidate Ghulam Qadir War secured 4,166 votes, losing by 20,014 votes.In 1983, the constituency had 36,282 electors and 23,648 valid votes cast. Hakeem Yaseen, then National Conference candidate, won with 13,737 votes, defeating the Indian National Congress candidate Ghulam Ahmad Barray, who received 4,557 votes, by 9,180 votes.In 1977, the constituency had 34,359 electors and 21,163 valid votes cast. Hakeem Yaseen, then National Conference candidate, won with 15,647 votes, defeating Janata Party candidate Ghulam Qadir War, who received 3,814 votes, by 11,833 votes.In 1972, the constituency had 30,831 electors and 18,634 valid votes cast. Indian National Congress candidate Ghulam Qadir War won with 15,998 votes, while independent candidate Ghulam Ahmad Parry secured 2,094 votes, losing by 13,904 votes—(KNO)
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