Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Aug 26 : The situation surrounding the National Conference (NC) mandate for the Shopian seat in south Kashmir remains uncertain, with local population curious about who will receive the party’s endorsement.
According to the news agency, two main contenders are in the race for the NC mandate: former MLA Sheikh Mohammad Rafi and party leader Shabir Kulay.
In the 2014 elections, Shabir Kulay, running as an independent candidate, secured around 12,000 votes, while the NC candidate Rafi received approximately 5,000 votes.
Political analysts suggest that if the NC gives the mandate to either candidate, and the other decides to run independently, it could potentially benefit other parties, especially the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In the 2014 elections, Rafi and Kulay collectively garnered around 17,000 votes, but PDP’s Adv Mohammad Yousuf won with around 14,000 votes due to the division of votes.
Currently, both Sheikh Rafi and Shabir Kulay have reportedly submitted their forms and are awaiting a decision from NC’s higher authorities. Shabir has prepared to contest independently if he does not receive the NC mandate.
The Shopian seat could potentially become a battleground if the Congress party, with candidate Zaffar Manhas—who recently left the Apni Party—enters the race. This would set up a direct contest between an alliance candidate and the PDP.
However, if one of the NC candidates runs independently after the other receives the mandate, it could change the dynamics of the election, analysts believe.
