ASSEMBLY POLL 2024: Mir, Tarigami among key candidates from Valley in Phase 1

Srinagar, August 29

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Jammu and Kashmir is all set to witness three-phase Assembly poll for the first time since the abrogation of Article 370. As many as 24 segments will go to polls on September 18 in the first phase, for which 183 candidates have filed nominations from Kashmir. The Tribune looks at the key candidates set to contest poll from the Valley in the first phase:

Ghulam Ahmad Mir

Congress general secretary and former president of the J&K Congress Committee Ghulam Ahmad Mir is contesting from Dooru in Anantnag district. A former minister, Mir is a member of the Congress working committee and a two-time former legislator. Mir lost the seat to the PDP candidate in 2014. But he remains a strong contender as the party has a good support base here.

Iltija Mufti

Daughter of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Iltija is making her electoral debut from the Muftis’ family bastion seat of Srigufwara-Bijbehara. Iltija, who has made herself known as an articulate youth leader, is also the media adviser to the PDP chief. She got into the spotlight after she openly talked against the abrogation of Article 370.

Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami

A senior CPM leader, Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami is contesting from Kulgam, which he has represented multiple times. This time, Tarigami is part of the NC-Congress alliance. He was also a key person behind the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. It was an alliance of Kashmiri parties that aimed to seek the restoration of Article 370. But it fell apart before the Lok Sabha poll.

Sakina Itoo

A former minister and senior NC leader, Sakina Itoo is contesting from the Damhal Hanjipora. Although a PDP candidate defeated her in 2014, Itoo has earlier represented this seat, which was earlier known as Noorabad. Her father Wali Mohammad Itoo, a close associate of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was shot dead by militants in 1995 in Jammu. She was elected for the first time in 1996.

Hasnain Masoodi

Hasnain Masoodi is contesting from the Pampore segment. A former Justice of the J&K High Court, he forayed into politics after he was announced as a Lok Sabha candidate by the NC in 2019. In October 2015, Masoodi had ruled that Article 370 was permanent, but it was revoked by the Centre in 2019.

Waheed Para

A prominent face of the PDP, Waheed Para is contesting from the Pulwama seat. Para also became a DDC member while he was jailed, but unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He is known for his connect with the youth in south Kashmir.

Talat Majeed

Talat Majeed is one of the four candidates backed by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI-JK). The banned outfit is contesting polls for the first time after 35 years. Majeed, who was a member of the Jamaat from 2002 to 2014, has filled his nomination from the Pulwama segment. The 2024 UT Assembly poll would also mark Majeed’s electoral debut, who was the first Jamaat leader to join mainstream politics. He had also joined the Apni Party.

Sofi Yusuf

One of the oldest faces of the BJP in Kashmir, Sofi Yusuf is contesting from Srigufwara-Bijbehara. He has contested the Assembly elections in the past but never won.