Srinagar- Renowned Gujjar leader Mian Altaf, a prominent figure among the Bakarwal and Pahari communities, was on Monday declared as the National Conference’s candidate for the newly redrawn Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat, slated for polling on May 7.
The 66-year-old leader is a five-time MLA and former minister in the Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah governments.
Hailing from the ancestral Wangath village in Kangan, Central Kashmir, known as ‘Baba Nagri’, Altaf’s nomination has sparked enthusiasm among locals, with his inclusive approach being a key highlight of his candidacy.
The announcement of his name by NC vice president Omar Abdullah has set the stage for a competitive election, with various opposition parties, including arch-rival PDP, facing a formidable challenge in countering Altaf’s widespread support base.
“There can’t be any better choice than Mian (Altaf) Saheb for the Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri seat. He has never asked votes on religious lines and always kept all sections of the society together,”Omar said while announcing his name on behalf of party president Farooq Abdullah.
“I appeal to the voters of Anantnag-Poonch-Rajouri parliamentary seat to come out in majority to make Mian saheb successful so that the voice of the people reaches Delhi,” Omar added.
The function was held at the party headquarters.
The announcement saw several rejoicing moments in the Rajouri and Poonch areas and many of them saw ‘Baba Nagri’ coming to their area.
Altaf, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support, emphasised that his leadership is shaped by the people’s affection and his commitment to public service, reflecting on his family’s legacy of religious leadership in Kashmir.
His great grandfather Baba Jee Sahib Larvi, his grandfather Mian Nizam Ud Din Larvi and his father Mian Bashir Ahmed Larvi were also religious figures in Kashmir. His father had declared him as ‘Wali-e-Ahed’ in 2017.
“I have nothing else to say. I have been working for the people in the past and I will continue to do that,” Mian Altaf told PTI after his nomination for the seat was announced.
He said these elections were an uphill task keeping in mind the redrawn Lok Sabha constituency which now includes areas from South Kashmir as well as from Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region.
The ‘Baba Nagri’ is thronged by hundreds of people every day to meet him and seek his blessings.
Altaf survived a terrorist attack in 1995 that involved an IED explosion and gunfire by militants from Harkat-ul-Ansar (now known as banned Jaish-e-Mohammed). Following the incident, he was airlifted to Delhi for medical treatment and upon his return, he continued to stay at his ancestral village.
As the Anantnag constituency expands to encompass Rajouri and Poonch regions post-delimitation, the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on May 7 are poised to be a significant electoral event in the region.
The NC, aligned with the opposition INDIA bloc, is set to contest three seats in the Kashmir Valley.
Nomination Aimed At Fetching Gujjar Votes: Analysts
After the National Conference announced Mian Altaf’s candidature from Anantnag-Rajouri seat political analysts have been speculating that the nomination is aimed at fetching Gujjar votes from the Lok Sabha constituency.
A political analyst from Rajouri district from Gujjar community, wishing anonymity, said that there are around six lakh Gujjar votes in Anantnag parliamentary seat which is spread in twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, and in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.
“Mian Altaf Ahmed Larvi is known to one and all but that doesn’t mean he will be able to get all the votes of the community. Around 20 percent voters of the community are his followers which will vote in his favour whereas he may be able to fetch 25 to 30 percent more votes due to his cult figure and party influence,” he said.
“He has some disadvantages as well which will get reflected during this election and those can go against the NC,” the political analyst said, adding, “Mian Altaf Ahmed is not from Rajouri and Poonch district and not even from south Kashmir. Hailing from Kangan area of Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, he can be seen as outsider by the voters which can go against him as well.”
The total votes of Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat is 1925450 out of which around 11 lakh votes are from south Kashmir whereas Rajouri and Poonch districts have over 8 lakh votes.
Moreover, he said, when Mian Altaf was a minister in Omar Abdullah led NC-Congress government in Jammu and Kashmir from 2009 to 2014, ST youth from Rajouri and Poonch district were getting reservation in jobs in Kashmir valley in district cadre and division cadre posts but the NC government ended this reservation and only kept it for Scheduled Tribe candidates. “Mian Altaf Ahmed also played a role in this and due to which educated ST youth of these two districts were up in arms against this decision and even held protests against Larvi,” he reminded.
But the political analyst was of the opinion that Larvi might be able to get around 50 percent votes of ST community.
There is a huge chuck of Pahari votes in these two districts who are overjoyed after the government announced reservation for the community and Pahari leaders have assured the Bharatiya Janta Party of full support during the elections. If BJP is able to get a majority of Pahari votes, then it will be a great loss to NC. PTI/ KNO
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