A complex electoral history has shaped the political landscape of Pulwama, with various parties vying for dominance. As 12 candidates prepare to contest the upcoming 2024 assembly elections, Syed Batool Andrabi examines the constituency’s demographics, electoral history, and the key contenders in the fray.
The Pulwama Assembly constituency, comprising the main town and a set of villages surrounding it, is one of 90 constituencies in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. It is also part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency.
Pulwama plays a crucial role in the political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir. Its electoral outcomes have far-reaching implications for the region. The forthcoming elections are expected to be fiercely contested, with significant consequences for both the local population and the political parties involved.
Pulwama will vote on September 18, 2024, as part of the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, taking place for the first time in 10 years. The results will be announced on October 4, 2024. The JKPDP has nominated Waheed Ur Rehman Para, while the JKNC has fielded Mohammad Khalil Band.
Band has represented the constituency for three consecutive terms in 2002, 2008 and 2014 for Jammu and Kashmir PDP. After 2018, he deserted the party – like most of its lawmakers and joined JKNC. Now he is the JKNC candidate and the PDP has fielded its youth leader, Waheed Parra. 12 candidates are vying for the seat.
Electoral history
In the 1972 Pulwama Assembly Constituency election, Sona Ullah Dar of the Indian National Congress (INC) won with 10,002 votes, accounting for 51.09 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 19,576 valid votes out of 28,937 registered electors, a voter turnout of 72.55 per cent. Gulam Hassan Mir, an independent candidate, came second with 4,978 votes (25.43 per cent), losing by 5,024 votes.
In the 1977 election, Mohammad Ibrahim Dar of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN) won decisively with 18,712 votes, representing 72.58 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 25,780 valid votes out of 36,853 registered electors, a voter turnout of 73.27 per cent. Abdul Rashid Wani of Jamaat-i-Islami came second with 2,537 votes (9.84 per cent), losing by 16,175 votes.
In the 1983 election, Sana Ullah Dar of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) won with 15,707 votes, accounting for 51.16 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 30,702 valid votes out of 39,682 registered electors, a voter turnout of 80.46 per cent.
Mohammad Ayub of the Indian National Congress (INC) came second with 5,189 votes (16.9 per cent), losing by 10,518 votes. Other candidates included Mohammad Ibrahim Dar, an independent, with 4,353 votes (14.18 per cent), and Assad Ullah of Jamaat-t-Islami with 2,651 votes (8.63 per cent). Two independents, Gulam Qadir Mir, and Mir Abdul Rahim, received 1,705 votes (5.55 per cent) and 529 votes (1.72 per cent) respectively. Gulam Rasool of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference secured 568 votes (1.85 per cent). This election highlighted the JKNC’s strong support in the region.
In the 1987 Assembly Constituency election, Bashir Ahmed Nengroo of the JKNC won decisively with 23,297 votes, accounting for 59.57 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 39,109 valid votes out of 49,212 registered electors, a voter turnout of 80.99 per cent.
Independent candidate Mushtaq Ahmed finished second with 14,910 votes (38.12 per cent), losing by 8,387 votes. The Communist Party of India (CPI) candidate, Bashir Ahmad, received 902 votes (2.31 per cent). This election demonstrated the JKNC’s strong support in the region, contributing to the party’s success in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.
In the 1996 election, Bashir Ahmad Nengroo of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) retained the seat with 12,030 votes. This represented 52.46 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 22,933 valid votes out of 49,162 registered electors, a voter turnout of 51.31 per cent. Syed Bashir Ahmad of the Janata Dal (JD) came second with 7,398 votes (32.26 per cent), losing by 4,632 votes.
In the 2002 election, Mohamad Khalil Band of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won with 5,209 votes. This accounted for 53.09 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 9,811 valid votes out of 54,107 registered electors, a voter turnout of 18.13 per cent. Bashir Ahmad Nengrooof the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) came second with 2,782 votes (28.36 per cent), losing by 2,427 votes.
Other candidates included Mohamad Maqbool Bhat of the Indian National Congress (INC) with 1,143 votes (11.65 per cent), and Abdul Gani Bhat, an independent, with 409 votes (4.17 per cent). Nazir Ahmad Lone of the J and K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) secured 135 votes (1.38 per cent), and Manzoor Ahmad Thokerof the Janata Dal (United) garnered 133 votes (1.36 per cent). This election showed the PDP’s growing support in the region.
In the 2008 election, Mohammad Khalil Bandh of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) won with 10,639 votes. This accounted for 36.45 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 29,188 valid votes out of 71,466 registered electors, a voter turnout of 40.84 per cent. Independent candidate Sonaullah Dar came second with 4,003 votes (13.71 per cent), losing by 6,636 votes.
Other notable candidates included Gulam Nabi Wani of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) with 3,246 votes (11.12 per cent), and independents Mohammad Maqbool Baht and Bashir Ahmad Nengroo with 3,202 votes (10.97 per cent) and 2,318 votes (7.94 per cent) respectively. This election showed strong support for the JKPDP in the region.
In the 2014 election, Mohammad Khalil Band of the JKPDP retained the seat for the third consecutive term with 11,631 votes. This represented 38.55 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The election saw 30,168 valid votes out of 79,175 registered electors, a voter turnout of 38.1 per cent. Gulam Nabi Wani of the JKNC came second with 10,599 votes (35.13 per cent), losing by 1,032 votes.
Other candidates included Ab Qayoom Mir of the Jammu and Kashmir People Democratic Front (JKPDF) with 1,850 votes (6.13 per cent), and independent candidate Sana Ullah Dar with 1,760 votes (5.83 per cent). This election highlighted a competitive political landscape in the region, with significant support for both the JKPDP and JKNC.
Area
The Pulwama assembly constituency comprises Pulwama Tehsil (Part) – excluding Kangan, Murran, Mitrigam, Karimabad, Bunoora, Wahibugh, Parigam, and TumchiNowpora PCs – Pulwama Municipality, and Awantipora Tehsil (Part) – excluding Awantipora, Noorpora, and Midoora PCs, according to the last delimitation report.
Demography
The Pulwama Assembly Constituency has a population of 560,440, with a density of 598 inhabitants per square kilometre. The gender ratio is 912 females to every 1,000 males. Among Muslims, who make up approximately 95.49 per cent of the population, the sex ratio is 952. The overall literacy rate is 64.3 per cent. Hindus constitute 2.47 per cent of the population, while Sikhs make up 1.68 per cent. Urban residents account for 14.35 per cent of the population, with the majority – approximately 85.65 per cent – living in rural areas. In the 2014 assembly elections, there were 30,135 registered voters, consisting of 16,856 males and 13,279 females. This reflects the constituency’s predominantly Muslim and rural character.
History of Pulwama
Pulwama assembly constituency is part of Pulwama district, bounded by Srinagar to the north, Budgam and Poonch districts to the west, and Anantnag districts to the south and east. The district was formed in 1979, separating from Anantnag district.
Pulwama is considered one of the picturesque spots in Kashmir. Its congenial climate, numerous springs, streams, waterfalls, fragrant flowers, and delicious fruits make it a natural beauty. The district is also renowned globally for its saffron cultivation, primarily grown in the Karewa lands of Pampore, Kakapora, and Pulwama blocks.
Agriculture is the main occupation, engaging 70 per cent of the population. The remaining 30 per cent pursue other activities. The district is also notable for fruit cultivation, which, along with agriculture, contributes significantly to the local income.
Topography
The district covers an area of 1,090 square kilometres, situated at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,000 metres above mean sea level. Its geographical coordinates are 33.8830554° latitude and 74.9208705° longitude.
The climate is temperate, with summer temperatures reaching up to 30°C. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing. The Jhelum River flows through the area, providing irrigation via a lift system.
The region experiences rainfall during winter and early summer, due to western disturbances and monsoon rains. The highest recorded rainfall was 772.30 mm in 1998. Early snowfall is common in the higher reaches, while the district has faced drought conditions in recent years.
Economy
Pulwama’s economy extends beyond agriculture, with a growing industrial sector comprising small and medium enterprises. Key industries include cement production, wood products, and food processing.
It is home to Asia’s largest cold atmosphere storage cluster at Lassipora, a sprawling manufacturing hub.
Notable industrial units include the Government Cement Factory in Wuyan (now defunct and being divested by the government) and various small-scale manufacturing units.
The local economy is further bolstered by the region’s natural resources, including the Jhelum River, which supports irrigation. A cluster of villages are the major milk-producing areas. Although Pulwama’s economy remains primarily agrarian, efforts are underway to enhance industrial development and improve economic resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
