Tauseef Ahmad
BANDIPORA, Sep 11: In a significant political shift, Dr. Bilqees, a senior National Conference (NC) leader and daughter-in-law of former Bandipora MLA Gh Rasool Naaz, has announced her decision to contest the upcoming assembly elections as an independent candidate. This move comes as a revolt against the NC-Congress alliance, signaling cracks in the partnership within the Bandipora constituency.
The announcement followed closely after Nizam-ud-din Bhat, a former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), joined the Congress party just one day before the nomination deadline. The Bandipora assembly seat, allotted to Congress as part of the alliance’s seat-sharing arrangement, had not yet seen an official candidate declaration at the time of Bhat’s defection.
Dr. Bilqees took to social media to confirm her decision to run independently, citing dissatisfaction with the political developments in the constituency. Her move has sparked further tension, with sources within the local Congress cadre revealing that the district president is also unhappy with the newly introduced candidate. Reports suggest that he, too, is considering running as an independent candidate, adding further complexity to the unfolding political drama in Bandipora.
The growing dissent within both parties points to a possible three-way split in votes, which could greatly impact the outcome of the elections in the region.
