Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice president, Omar Abdullah, officially entered the race for the Ganderbal Assembly seat by filing his nomination papers on Wednesday. Six other candidates, including a Congress rebel, also filed their nominations for the same seat.
Omar Abdullah arrived at the Ganderbal Assembly constituency in North Kashmir, accompanied by senior NC leaders and party workers from Srinagar. Reports suggest that Abdullah may also contest the Assembly elections from the Budgam seat in central Kashmir.
Among Abdullah’s main opponents is Ishfaq Jabbar of the Jammu & Kashmir United Movement (JKUM). Sahil Farooq, a Congress rebel who broke ranks to challenge the former Chief Minister, also submitted his nomination. Additionally, Kaiser Ahmad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) joined the fray.
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Reports indicate that around 30 candidates might file nominations against Abdullah in Ganderbal.
Meanwhile, Sugra Barkati, the younger daughter of jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati, announced that her father will contest the Ganderbal seat against Omar Abdullah. Sarjan Barkati, known as ‘Azadi Chacha,’ had earlier filed nomination papers for the Zainpora Assembly constituency in Shopian district. However, his papers were rejected due to a missing mandatory oath certificate. Now, his daughter has stated that her father’s complete papers will be filed from Ganderbal.
Sarjan Barkati gained notoriety in 2016 for inciting youth to join militant ranks and support secession. Following the death of Hizbul leader Burhan Wani. Both Barkati and his wife are currently in jail on charges of money laundering linked to terror funding.
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