Rajpora assembly constituency is gearing up for the upcoming assembly elections on September 18, 2024. With a rich history dating back to the ninth century and a strong tradition of horticulture and bread production, Rajpora has been a significant player in the region’s political landscape, writes Syed Batool Andrabi
Rajpora also referred to as Rajpur is a village, tehsil, and assembly constituency in Pulwama district. Almost 43 km south of Srinagar, it falls within the Anantnag parliamentary constituency.
Election Commission data put the number of electors at 109,543. This comprises 54,554 male electors, 54,983 female electors, and six transgender.
The contest
The contest is between JKNC’s Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir and JKPDP’s Syed Basheer Ahmad. After Engineer Rasheed’s release on parole, it seems the AIP candidate could make it a triangular contest.
In the upcoming assembly election, ten candidates are in contest. The contestants include Mohammad Altaf Bhat (Independent); Gulam Nabi Digoo (Liberal Democratic Party); Arun Kumar Raina (Nationalist Congress Party); Daisy Raina (Republican Party of India); Arsheed Ahmed Bhat (Bharatiya Janata Party); Syed Basheer Ahmed (Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party); Gulam Nabi Wani(Democratic Progressive Azad Party); Muddasir Hassan (Aam Aadmi Party); Gulam Hassan Malik (Independent); and Gulam Mohi Ud Din Mir (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference).
Electoral History
In the 1996 election, Gulam Mohiuddin Mir of the JKNC won with 15,455 votes, securing 61.2 per cent of the total valid votes. The election saw 25,253 valid votes cast from 52,993 registered electors. Ghulam Naba Mir of the Janata Dal came second with 6,083 votes (24.09 per cent), losing by 9,372 votes.
Other candidates included Gulam Nabi Wani of the Jammu and Kashmir Awami League with 1,866 votes (7.39 per cent), and Bashir Ahmad of the Indian National Congress with 1,849 votes (7.32 per cent).
In the 2002 election, Syed Bashir Ahmad of the JKPDP emerged victorious with 13,946 votes, representing 58.6 per cent of the valid votes. The election saw 23,799 valid votes cast from 64,829 electors. JKNC’s Ghulam Mohiuddin finished second with 5,860 votes (24.62 per cent), losing by 8,086 votes. Other candidates included Mohammad Yousuf Dar of the Jammu and Kashmir Awami League with 1,641 votes (6.9 per cent), Mir Gulam Nabi Patail of the Indian National Congress with 1,458 votes (6.13 per cent), Gulam Mohammad Shah of the Bharatiya Janata Party with 457 votes (1.92 per cent), and independent candidate Gulam Rasool Bhat with 437 votes (1.84 per cent).
In the 2008 election, Syed Bashir retained the seat by polling 10,177 votes, securing 25.12 per cent of the total valid votes cast. The constituency had 80,044 registered electors, with 40,508 valid votes cast. Gulam Mohiuddin Mir, this time contesting as an independent, finished second with 9,230 votes (22.79 per cent), losing by 947 votes. In this election JKNC’s Gulam Nabi Wani polled 7,222 votes (17.83 per cent), Abdul Gani Dar of the Indian National Congress with 4,371 votes (10.79 per cent), Farooq Jan Para of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Party Nationalist with 1,300 votes (3.21 per cent), and Sajad Ahmad Dar of the Jammu & Kashmir Awami National Conference with 1,186 votes (2.93 per cent).
The election saw a 50.61 per cent voter turnout. Syed Bashir Ahmad Shah’s victory secured the Rajpora seat in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
In the 2014 election, Dr Haseeb Drabu of the JKPDP emerged victorious, securing 18,103 votes (36.95 per cent) out of 48,997 valid votes cast. The constituency had 90,581 registered electors.
Gulam Mohiuddin Mir, this time contesting as JKNC candidate, secured second place with 13,830 votes, equating to 28.23 per cent of the total. He lost by a margin of 4,273 votes.
Other notable candidates included Gulam Nabi Wani, an independent, who garnered 6,477 votes (13.22 per cent); Peerzada Syed Bashir Ahmad, also independent, with 5,133 votes (10.48 per cent); and Fayaz Ahmad Dar of the Indian National Congress, who received 1,923 votes (3.92 per cent).
The election saw a voter turnout of 54.09 per cent in the constituency.
Demography
According to the 2011 census, Rajpora’s population stands at 5,215, comprising 2,756 males and 2,459 females. The village has 1,169 residents under the age of six, accounting for 22.42 per cent of the total population. The average sex ratio is 892, while the child sex ratio is 729.
The literacy rate in Rajpora was 62 per cent in 2011, with males at 57.67 per cent and females at 51.61 per cent. Scheduled Tribes constitute 0.29 per cent of the population, while there are no Scheduled Castes.
Of the total population, 3,289 people were employed as of 2011. The remaining residents engage in the orchard business, with the village heavily dependent on horticulture and allied sectors like dairy and bread production. The local Shirmal bread is renowned worldwide and exported to countries including the USA, Australia, UAE, and other Gulf nations.
Rajpora encompasses Shahoora (Litter) and Rajpora Tehsils, part of Pulwama Tehsil, and the Kangan, Murran, Mitrigam, Karimabad, Bunoora, and Wahibughpanchayat constituencies, according to the last delimitation report.
Rajpora’sHistory
Rajpora is part of the Pulwama district, established in 1979 when it was separated from Anantnag district. The district boasts a rich archaeological heritage, including remnants from the reign of King Avantivarman in the 9th century.
This region has a significant history, marked by notable contributions to art and architecture, particularly in temple construction during that era.
Rajpora has historical ties to the feudal system, which prevailed until the mid-20th century. Influential families, such as the Zaildars, owned vast tracts of land and played a vital role in the local economy. Aziz Mir, a prominent figure, built a mansion in Rajpora and founded the village’s first school in the early 20th century, underscoring the community’s emphasis on education.
Economy
According to the 2011 census, only 3,289 people were employed. The rest of the population is engaged in the orchard business. Rajpora’s economy relies heavily on horticulture and allied sectors, such as dairy farming and local bread production. The village is famous for its Shirmal bread, which is exported globally.
Education
The constituency is home to several educational institutions, including the Government Degree College, Government Higher Secondary School, and Girl’s High School, as well as private institutions.