Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) has sparked controversy by awarding Assembly election tickets to the sons of five prominent political leaders, reigniting accusations of dynastic politics within the party. Despite calls for fresh faces, the NC has relied on candidates with family ties to party leaders. Salman Ali Sagar, whose father is also contesting from the Khanyar Assembly segment, is among those who have received tickets. Mian Mehar Ali, son of incumbent MP Mian Altaf, Ahsan Pardeshi, son of Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, Dr. Sajad Shafi Uri, son of Muhammad Shafi Uri, and Hilal Akbar Lone, son of former MP and Assembly Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone, are also on the list. A couple of critics told that this approach undermines democracy and limits opportunities for deserving individuals without political connections. The party’s decision raises questions about its leadership’s priorities and whether it is truly invested in representing the people or merely perpetuating a political dynasty. This move has sparked debate about the party’s commitment to promoting new talent and its reliance on legacy candidates. The National Conference yesterday released the 2nd list of candidates. Those named in the list and given mandate include Mian Mehar Ali will contest polls from Kangan (ST); Omar Abdullah-Ganderbal; Salam Ali Sagar-Hazratbal; Ali Mohammad Sagar-Khanyar; Shameema Firdous-Habba Kadal; Ahsan Pardesi-Lal Chowk; Mushtaq Guroo-Chanapora; Tanvir Sadiq-Zadibal; Mubarak Gull-Eidgah; Saif-ud-Din Bhat-Khan Sahib; Abdul Raheem Rather-Chrar-e-Shareef; Ali Mohammad Dar-Chadoora; Er Khursheed-Gulab Garh (ST); Yashu Vardhan Singh-Kalakote/Sunderbani; Surinder Chowdary-Nowshera; Javid Chowdary-Budhal (ST); Ajaz Ahmad Khan-Poonch Haveli; Javid Rana-Mendhar(ST); Javid Mirchal-Karnah; Mir Saif ullah-Trehgam; Nasir Aslam Wani (Sogam)-Kupwara; Qaiser Jamsheed Lone-Lolab; Chowdary Mohamad Ramzan-Handwara; Irshad Rasool Kar-Sopore; Javid Ahmad Dar-Rafiabad; Dr. Sajad Shafi Uri-Uri; Javid Hussain Beigh-Baramulla; Farooq Ahmad Shah-Tangmarg; Javid Reyaz Bedar-Pattan; Hilal Akbar Lone-Sonawari; Nazir Ahmad Gurezi-Gurez(ST); and Ajay Kumar Sadhotra-Jammu North. [KNT]
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