by Parrey Babar
SRINAGAR: The group of women contesting in the female reserve Shangus micro constituency has made the DDC election every interesting. One element to the contest was added by literal ‘adoption’ of an independent by the PAGD after the Congress-backed out of the alliance.
Salma Lateef, the wife of Mohammad Jameel, resident of Brari Angan is one of the contents. She said she lacks any political background. Salma is presently pursuing MBA degree through IGNOU.
Salma said she has filed nomination as an independent candidate with a tractor as her symbol.
After the Congress party withdraw support to Gupkar Alliance (PAGD), she claims the National Conference gave her the mandate even though she continues to be an independent technically. On the ground, neither of the PAGD constituents have rejected or questioned her claim. But it remains to be seen if they will vote for her.
“We will fight in bringing back our identity of Jammu and Kashmir i.e 370 and 35A, with support of Gupkar Alliance. I want to work for my people who had been fooled during decades by politicians,” Salma told this reporter.
Another candidate is Sabahat Gulzar, daughter of former MLA of Congress Gulzar Ahmad Wani. A resident of Chittergul Shangus, Sabahat is presently pursuing LLB from the University of Kashmir.
“I participated in elections, not because of my father but my own decision,” Sabahat said. “It is my aim to help people.”
Rozey Jan is another candidate. Wife of Abdul Hameed Reshi, a resident of Nagenaren, Rosy had completed her graduation from Government women’s college Anantnag. Rozey’s husband is a BJP sarpanch, but Rozey has filed her nomination as an independent candidate, having voter sign Television.
Rozey said she is contesting for a specific purpose. “We have to end the family rule of National conference, PDP and Congress who had fooled people from decades. Her (Sabahat) father was MLA and mother sarpanch and now daughter wants to be in DDC.”
Besides, there are two more candidates – Mubeena Begum wife of Ghulam Haider Khan on Apni Party mandate and Sabreena Mushtaq wife of Mushtaq Ahmad Shah as an Independent candidate.
The campaigning in this politically sensitive constituency remained low-profile with the candidates preferring taking in families at their homes. Quite a few gathering were reported from the area.
