Srinagar, Sep 02 : The Bijbehara-Srigufwara assembly segment in south Kashmir is all set for a closely contested race in the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir assembly elections. The seat, a stronghold of the People’s Democratic Party in the past, is set to witness a tight battle between Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri of the National Conference (NC) and Iltija Mufti of the PDP.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Veeri is running for the third consecutive time in this constituency. Meanwhile, Iltija Mufti, the daughter of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, is contesting in place of her mother, who has opted not to run in this election.
Historically, this seat was represented by PDP’s senior leader and former Minister Ab Rehman Veeri since the party’s inception. However, this time, he has been moved to contest from the Shangus Anantnag East constituency.
According to political analysts, Ab Rehman Veeri is a strong candidate due to his deep roots in the constituency, having won elections there multiple times and initiated numerous projects. His absence is seen as a potential challenge for the PDP, as he had a significant influence and understanding of the constituency.
Iltija Mufti’s candidacy, however, is perceived by some as having the weight of her mother’s legacy, providing her with a robust platform. Yet, Dr Veeri, a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), has been working diligently on the ground, building substantial support through years of engagement, according to analysts.
In the 2014 elections, Bashir Ahmad Veeri garnered approximately 21,000 votes, while Ab Rehman Veeri secured around 23,000 votes. Both Iltija Mufti and Dr Veeri are actively campaigning to win over voters, with the campaigns of other influential local figures potentially playing a decisive role in the election outcome.
The Bijbehara seat has a rich electoral history, with past representatives including notable figures such as Mufti Muhammad Syed, Saifuddin Dar, Ab Gani Shah and Mehbooba Mufti, among others. The constituency has 102,081 registered voters and 125 polling stations.
The presence of a BJP candidate, Sofi Yousuf, also adds another dynamic to the race, as his performance could influence the distribution of votes among the leading candidates—(KNO)
