Suhail Khan
Srinagar, August 31 : The political landscape of Kashmir is witnessing various developments in the run-up to the assembly elections. After the recent alliance between the National Conference and Congress, further changes are being observed on the ground, and the election discourse is gaining momentum.
In this context, a prominent social activist and advocate, Irfan Hafeez, has announced that he is joining the India Alliance to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In an exclusive Interview with Kashmir Despatch, Irfan Hafeez stated, “I am joining the India bloc to counter the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party.” He said, “I am joining the alliance, and I believe this is an occasion for us to come together and take on the BJP. However, the National Conference and the Congress are already fighting together as an alliance in this assembly election, and it was decided that the Congress will contest the Wagoora seat. So, the decision to join the alliance is to ensure unity in countering the BJP, and I am fighting this election through the Congress party.”
Pertinently, Wagoora Assembly seat is already witnessing a fierce contest. The main contenders for this seat include the previous election’s winning candidates of the District Development Council (DDC) – Safeena Beigh, Advocate Irfan Hafeez Lone, the recent “Ghar Wapsi” (Homecoming) of Syed Basharat Bukhari from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Shabir Ahmad Shah from the Apni Party, and journalist-turned-politician Suhail Bukhari, who left the PDP.
