The highly contested Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat will see a face-off between Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mufti, with the support of the Congress, is hoping to bring attention to the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament. However, tension between PDP and NC is evident as Mufti calls out NC president Farooq Abdullah for not consulting with them before fielding a candidate against PDP in the seat.
The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha Seat: A Contested Battleground
The upcoming general election in India is set to witness a high-stakes contest in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, located in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The seat has been a political battleground for decades, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference (NC) emerging as the primary contenders.
Contesting Candidates
In the 2023 general election, the PDP is fielding its president, Mehbooba Mufti, as the candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Mufti is a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and has been a prominent figure in the state's politics for many years. She enjoys strong support from the PDP's base in Kashmir and is seen as a credible representative of the region.
The NC has nominated Ghulam Nabi Azad as its candidate in the seat. Azad is a veteran politician who has served as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir twice. He is also a former Union Minister and is considered a respected figure in Indian politics.
Support and Alliances
Mehbooba Mufti has the support of the Congress party, which is a major opposition party in India. The Congress has a significant presence in Jammu and Mufti is hoping to leverage this support to boost her chances of victory.
The NC, on the other hand, is not part of any major alliance. However, it has received support from some local parties and organizations.
Political Tensions
The contest between Mufti and Azad has created significant political tensions in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Mufti has accused NC president Farooq Abdullah of not consulting with her before fielding a candidate against the PDP. This has led to a bitter exchange of words between the two leaders, highlighting the deep-rooted political rivalries in the region.
Past Elections
The Anantnag-Rajouri seat has witnessed several closely contested elections in the past. In the 2019 general election, PDP candidate Hasnain Masoodi emerged victorious, defeating NC candidate Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi by a narrow margin.
In the 2014 general election, NC candidate Mehbooba Mufti won the seat, defeating PDP candidate Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Sayeed later became the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir with the support of the BJP.
FAQs
Q1. Who are the contesting candidates in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat? A1. Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) and Ghulam Nabi Azad (NC).
Q2. What is the political significance of the seat? A2. It has been a contested battleground between the PDP and NC, reflecting the political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir.
Q3. Does either candidate have support from other parties? A3. Mufti has the support of the Congress, while Azad is not part of any major alliance.
Q4. What are the political tensions surrounding the election? A4. Mufti has accused NC president Farooq Abdullah of not consulting with her before fielding a candidate against the PDP.
Q5. Who won the seat in the previous general election? A5. PDP candidate Hasnain Masoodi won in 2019, while NC candidate Mehbooba Mufti won in 2014.
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