Published 17:04 IST, March 19th 2024

Mehbooba Mufti A Potential Face of INDIA Alliance From South Kashmir in Lok Sabha Poll

Mehbooba Mufti is likely to contest from the Anantnag constituency from the South Kashmir seat. PDP is considering extending support to the Congress for 2 seats

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Mehbooba Mufti: Potential Face of INDIA Alliance from South Kashmir in Lok Sabha Poll | Image: PTI
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Lok Sabha Poll 2024 Srinagar: In run-up to highly anticipated Lok Sabha polls, political intrigue and manoeuvring have taken centre stage in Indian political landscape. Insider sources hint at Mehbooba Mufti, President of PDP, emerging as a face in INDIA Alliance, particularly in South Kashmir. Furr, PDP is reportedly considering supporting Congress in two Jammu seats.

 “Mehbooba Mufti is likely to be a candidate from Anantnag constituency from South Kashmir seat, and in a strategic move, PDP is purportedly considering extending support to Congress in two seats in Jammu,”  said sources familiar with matter.

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However, amidst se developments, grand old party of J&K, National Conference (NC), anor significant player in INDIA Alliance, appears to be forging an independent path. Despite being part of INDIA Alliance, sources within political circles suggest that NC is prepared to make independent decisions on Anantnag seat.

 “Though NC is also part of INDIA Alliance, if NC decides not to support INDIA Alliance candidate, n whomever NC chooses will be candidate of NC, not INDIA Alliance,” said sources within same political circle.

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Pertinently, recent statements by Omar Abdullah, asserting NC's unwillingness to allocate a seat for PDP in Kashmir Valley, have emphasized potential strains within alliance. In response, efforts to uphold unity of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) have intensified, with key leers such as M.Y Tarigami and Muzaffar Shah engaging in deliberations.

“After hectic deliberations, meeting of PAGD leers is scheduled to take place at Abdullah’s residence in Gupkar, Srinagar, in next two days,” sources say.

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Meanwhile, as Election Commission of India announced dates for upcoming polls on March 16, anticipation for candidate announcements from political parties heightened.

forthcoming parliamentary board meeting of PDP in Srinagar is expected to provide insights into party’s electoral strategy, with speculation rife that candidate declarations may coincide with meeting.

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“ parliamentary board meeting of PDP is scheduled in Srinagar within next two days. If all goes according to plan, we aim to finalize and announce our candidates for upcoming polls on same day,” source ded.

Mehbooba Mufti's Support Among Tribals

Mehbooba Mufti's political clout stems from her deep-rooted connections in South Kashmir, particularly her hometown of Bijbehara. Her vocacy for rights of marginalized communities, including Gujjars, Pharis and Bakerwal tribes, has garnered her significant support among se demographics.

To consolidate ir voter base, late former CM Mufti Mohamm Sayeed established a separate Tribal Affairs Ministry in 2015.

In 2018, Mehbooba was vocal in dressing Asifa Bano case, an 8-year-old Gujjar girl who was raped and murdered in Kathua district of Jammu region. Hailing from nomic Bakarwal community, investigation revealed that she h been sedated, gang-raped, and strangled with her own scarf. Her assailants also brutally assaulted her he with a rock over four days within confines of a small Hindu shrine.

In 2019, selective eviction notices were issued to 33 nomic families in Jammu following collapse of government. Subsequently, an anti-encroachment drive targeted Gujjar and or marginalized Muslim families in Jammu, during which Mehbooba garnered support from Gujjar community.

In February 2023, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an anti-encroachment initiative led by L-G ministration. Amidst this, Mehbooba openly opposed policies of UT government, drawing parallels between scenes in Jammu and Kashmir and those in Afghanistan, where homes of underprivileged were demolished.

On December 30, 2023, Mehbooba Mufti staged a sit-in after police blocked her from meeting families of three civilians who allegedly died in Army custody after a terrorist attack on December 21 in Dera Ki Gali. Despite her intention to offer support in Topa Pir village, Poonch, her path was obstructed by police barrices, as seen in PDP-shared videos.

15:45 IST, March 19th 2024