KINS
Srinagar, Apr 16: Strategic Srinagar parliamentary constituency is all set to witness direct contest between National Conference stalwart Dr Farooq Abdullah and PDPs Aga Mohsin.
Even as the NC patriarch Farooq Abdullah seems to be having an edge but it’s not going to be the cake walk for the veteran politician.
In 2014 , Farooq had lost against the then PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra who at present is with the Congress.
Observer opine that in the Srinagar constituency, the PDP candidate Aga Mohisn is believed to give a tough fight to senior Abdullah. A PDP insider said that Mohsin has good footing in shia dominated areas of Srinagar and Budgam while as PDP is banking on its own base in Ganderbal where there is less shia population.
“We are hopeful that Mohsin will make it,” he said.
The strategic Srinagar constituency comprising Budgam and Ganderbal is going to polls on April 18 amid three tier security cover in place. There are apprehensions of law and order issues in parts of downtown Srinagar and Ganderbal pockets also. The forces claim the security concerns in these areas have been taken care of.
One of the leaders of the National Conference said that people have rejected the PDPs dual policy while as Peoples Conference stands no where in Srinagar Parliamentary seat. “Dr Sahib is set to sail through,” Wani said.
NC has been banking on its strong base in Srinagar but the party had lost three out of five Assembly seats in 2014 polls to PDP.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has already stirred a hornets nest by demanding revival of pre 1953 position so that Jammu and Kashmir will have it’s own Prime Minister and Sadre Riyasat. This statement has already triggered a political storm across India especially in the BJPs camp.
