Srinagar- Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, popularly known by the name Sarjan Barkati who is currently in jail for anti-state activities, suffered significant defeats in both the Beerwah and Ganderbal constituencies, where he contested as an independent candidate in the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Despite an intensive campaign led by his daughter, Sugra Barkati, Wagay was unable to secure either seat.
Sugra Barkati, inspired by Abrar Rashid’s successful campaign for his father, Er Rashid, who won a parliamentary seat while imprisoned, launched a massive effort in the Beerwah constituency to rally support for her father. Er Rashid had won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat by a wide margin while incarcerated, fueling hope for a similar outcome for Sarjan Wagay. Sugra had vowed to fight for the release of her father and other political prisoners.
However, this strategy did not resonate with the electorate. In the Beerwah constituency, Sarjan Wagay secured 12,282 votes, losing by a margin of 7,836 votes to the National Conference’s Shafi Ahmad Wani, who won with 20,118 votes. Despite the high-energy campaign, Sugra’s efforts could not overcome the gap.
Wagay’s performance in the Ganderbal constituency was even less promising, where he received only 438 votes. In this race, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference secured a landslide victory with 32,727 votes, putting Wagay’s prospects to dust.
Sugra Barkati’s campaign, which centered on advocating for the release of political prisoners, fell flat in both constituencies, a stark contrast to the success of Er Rashid’s campaign while in jail.
Pertinently in the past, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) has presented a charge sheet against Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Sarjan Barkati, his wife, and others in a case of unlawful activities and militant financing.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
