The National Conference (NC) has thrown down the gauntlet by selecting Mian Altaf Ahmed Lahrvi, a seasoned MLA and Gujjar religious leader, as its candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat – the very constituency belonging to NC's alliance partner, Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Lahrvi's nomination signals NC's intent to contest all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley, putting a spotlight on the future of the Peoples Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).
With a political landscape reshaped by recent delimitation exercises, the Anantnag-Rajouri seat now spans across diverse demographics, encompassing Kashmiri Muslims as well as the Gujjar and Pahari communities. By fielding Lahrvi, the NC hopes to appeal to the Gujjar community while potentially challenging the traditional stronghold of Valley-based parties in the region.
This move sets the stage for a riveting electoral showdown, especially considering the BJP's aspirations to expand its footprint in Kashmir. With intricate constituency dynamics and the evolving political narrative, the battle for Anantnag-Rajouri promises to be one to watch.
As the PDP mulls its electoral strategy amidst shifting alliances and dynamics, the stage is set for a compelling electoral saga in one of Jammu and Kashmir's most consequential constituencies.