Assembly poll results
PS Bali
Jammu, Dec 22: As counting of votes for 87-Assembly seats in Jammu & Kashmir will take place tomorrow to decide the fate of 831 contestants across the state, all eyes are on the fate of the key contestants, who according to observers have more than dignity on the stake.
Besides dignity, the question of existence of key players and some regional parties will be on stake, as the contest had been very interesting with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenging traditional players its arch rival Congress party, besides regional parties NC, PDP in Kashmir and Jammu and Kashmir National Panther Party (JKNPP) in Jammu.
These parties have been part of successive governments at one or other time and were badly defeated in Lok Sabha elections some eight months ago.
The JKNPP is fighting this election for survival, the Congress and NC stalwarts contest to retain their respective seats as well as to remain relevant in the state politics.
As per observers, National Conference (NC) was on the back foot due to anti-incumbency and recent floods, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has taken all steps possible to gain public support to cease power.
Among many key contenders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has ditched his traditional Ganderbal seat, has contested from Beerwah constituency in Budgam and Sonwar Assembly seat and had fought elections with hope to retain seat.
PDP's chief ministerial candidate, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from Anantnag constituency in South Kashmir is facing challenge from Iftikhar Hussain Misger of NC and Hilal Shah of Congress.
Deputy Chief Minister and Congress candidate Tara Chand, who won the Chhamb seat in Jammu in 1996, 2002 and 2008 fought to retain the seat this time again.
Sham Lal Sharma of Congress, who had been MLA and minister for two consecutive terms from Akhnoor may gain some sympathy for resigning ministry following bickering with coalition partners and raking up issues like Hindu CM from Jammu.
NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar, who is also a minister in the J&K government, would be looking forward to a fourth consecutive term from Khanyar seat. He is facing fight from PDP's Mohammad Khursheed Alam.
The CPI (M) leader, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami would be trying his luck again from Kulgam Assembly constituency. He won his three elections from Kulgam since 1996 and is seeking a fourth consecutive term.
Finance Minister and NC's Abdul Rahim Rather, the ‘invincible actor’ would be seeking seventh term from Chrar-e-Sharief constituency in Budgam district with PDP's Ghulam Nabi Lone to challenge the veteran MLA.
The former separatist leader, Sajad Lone also contested his maiden elections from Handwara constituency. He is up against NC candidate Chaudhary Mohammad Ramzan, who is a four-time MLA.
Another prominent face of Congress, Raman Bhalla had been MLA and minister for two consecutive terms from Gandhi Nagar. Due to low voting percentage in the constituency, Raman Bhalla would be having an edge over others to retain his seat.
In Doda, Abdul Majid Wani, senior cabinet minister of Congress faced triangular contest from PDP and BJP. He would have uphill task to retain Doda seat, which he represents for last 12 years.
Senior Congress leader and Minister Taj Mohiuddin would be seeking his third consecutive term from Uri constituency. It is believed to be a tight contest with NC's Mohahamad Shafi.
Prominent faces of National Conference in Jammu region, Surjit Singh Slathia and Ajay Sadotra are also facing tough battle at Vijaypur and Marh assembly seats, respectively.
Former advisor of Chief Minister, Devinder Singh Rana, who is fighting his first elections from Nagrota is believed to face tough contest from BJP candidate Nand Kishore Sharma, who is also brother of party’s state president.
After facing debacle in various elections, including legislative and parliamentary, Dr Nirmal Singh preferred to contest from native place, Billawar to give tough fight to two times MLA, Dr Manohar Lal of Congress. He is also believed to be a chief ministerial candidate of the party.
Seeking fourth term from Ramnagar, Harsh Dev Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) had remained popular for bringing reforms in education during his brief tenure in PDP-Congress government.
Another JKNPP stalwart, Balwant Mankotia, who has been two times MLA from Udhampur, faces Triangular contest from BJP and BJP rebellion group. He has possibility to retain seat, due to BJP in-fight.
Pawan Khajuria: The BJP nominee is contesting against two times National Panthers Party (NPP) MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia. BJP has been hit by rebellion in the constituency, where its former leader Pawan Gupta has decided to contest as an independent candidate after denial of ticket.
Two times independent MLA, Ashwani Sharma, who recently joined BJP for Bishnah seat, is facing tough fight from NC candidate, Kamal Verma.
Congress rebel and former MP, Choudhary Lal Singh contesting on BJP mandate directly locks horn with BJP’s rebel and Congress candidate Jagdish Raj Sapolia from Billawar.
Two times MLA and NC Minister from Kishtwar, Sajad Ahmad Kichloo will be facing three-corner contest and this election will be a litmus test for him, as BJP has made serious foray in the polls this time.
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