NC picks Mian Altaf for South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) has officially announced Mian Altaf Ahmad as its candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. NC Vice President Omar Abdullah made the declaration on behalf of party president Farooq Abdullah, with Ahmad in attendance.

Abdullah praised Ahmad’s inclusive approach, stating, “There can be no better candidate than him for the constituency. He has never sought votes based on religion or caste and has always tried to take everybody along.”

NC nominates Mian Altaf Ahmed as South Kashmir Pir Panjal parliamentary candidate.

Senior National Conference leader and veteran politician Mian Altaf Ahmed Lahrvi has been nominated as the National Conference candidate for the South Kashmir Pir Panjal parliamentary seat. pic.twitter.com/MVLV6qlxr3

— JKNC (@JKNC_) April 1, 2024

Mian Altaf Ahmad, the first candidate announced by the NC for the Lok Sabha elections, expressed confidence in garnering public support. He has been serving as a Minister and MLA from Kangan, Kashmir since 1987 and inherited his political legacy from his father, Mian Bashir Ahmad, and grandfather, Mian Nizamuddin, both former MLAs and Ministers.

The family has secured victory in 9 Assembly elections in Kangan since 1962. The Anantnag constituency, now including Rajouri and Poonch areas, is scheduled for polls on May 7 during the third phase of Lok Sabha elections. The notification for the third phase will be issued on April 12, with the nomination deadline set for April 19.

Meanwhile, there have been calls from leaders of the INDIA alliance and the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) urging the NC to yield the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat to PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who previously represented Anantnag in Parliament after winning elections in 2004 and 2014.

PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan while talking to The New Indian expressed regret at the need for the party to proceed independently but affirmed the commitment to contesting elections with the support of like-minded individuals and organizations. The Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) will soon finalize the list of candidates and other election-related responsibilities

Former minister and NC leader Aga Ruhullah emphasized the importance of unity, advocating for collaboration rather than competition against the PDP during a recent rally in Sopore.