As Kashmir prepares for its highly anticipated assembly elections, the Ganderbal constituency emerges as a crucial battleground, with Omar Abdullah facing a stiff challenge from the PDP’s Bashir Ahmed Mir, writes Syed Shadab Ali Gillani
GANDERBAL: As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for its long-awaited political showdown, following a decade of delay, the region’s political landscape is becoming increasingly dynamic. The Ganderbal constituency is experiencing heightened political tensions, as rivalries and aspirations intensify in this key area.
Ganderbal, one of 90 constituencies in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, holds considerable influence in the region’s political sphere. Often referred to as the “CM maker,” this constituency has played a pivotal role in shaping the leadership of the state since 1975.
Historically, Ganderbal has been a stronghold of the Abdullah family. However, this time, a fierce contest among various political parties is expected. National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is contesting from Ganderbal, marking a significant reversal of his earlier decision to refrain from electoral participation until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was restored. Omar’s decision follows his defeat in the Lok Sabha elections to Engineer Rashid in Baramulla district.
A Generational Connect
Ganderbal has elected three generations of the Abdullah family to power: Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1977, Farooq Abdullah three times in 1983, 1987, and 1996, and Omar Abdullah in 2008. With election teams stationed at all 260 polling stations across Ganderbal, the stage is set for a thrilling contest.
The two assembly segments within the Ganderbal district, Kangan and Ganderbal, hold distinct dynamics. While Kangan, a Scheduled Tribe constituency, has remained loyal to the National Conference, Ganderbal has witnessed a decline in grassroots support.
Family Legacies at Stake
The Mian family has dominated Kangan for decades, representing the constituency in 10 consecutive elections. From Mian Nizamuddin in 1962 to Mian Altaf in 2014, their religious influence within the Gujjar community has remained strong.
Now, Mian Altaf’s son, Mian Mehar Ali, is continuing the family legacy, contesting the assembly polls for the National Conference. However, internal rifts have weakened the party. Ishfaq Jabbar, the former district president, was expelled on April 24, 2023, due to “serious differences” with the leadership.
Jabbar’s family history is complex. His father, Sheikh Jabbar, was a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah before joining G M Shah’s rebel group in 1984. Later, the family aligned with Congress after the Rajiv-Farooq Accord.
Ishfaq Jabbar, who joined the National Conference in 2013 after contesting against Omar Abdullah in 2008, adds another layer to this narrative. His father’s assassination led him to enter politics, and now he is against the party he represented last time.
Other contenders are also vying for the seat. Bashir Ahmed Mir, representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has shifted from the Kangan constituency after it was reserved. A candidate from Ghulam Nabi Azad’s party is also in the race.
In a surprising twist, Congress’s district president Sahil Farooq is contesting independently, despite the NC-Congress alliance. This move may split votes and affect the outcome.
Omar Abdullah acknowledged the pressure to contest, stating, “If I was not ready to contest an election for an assembly, how can I expect the people to be ready to vote for that assembly?” He expressed concerns about sending the wrong message by allowing party members to contest while he abstains.
In Ganderbal, Omar Abdullah faces a challenge from Bashir Ahmed Mir, the PDP candidate. Mir’s reputation as a local hero has earned him widespread recognition.
Mir is well-known for his claims of having saved countless lives in the Sindh River. “I grew up in Kangan, surrounded by the majestic Nal-e-Sindh. For years, travellers passed through on their way to Sonamarg, Amarnath Yatra, or Ladakh,” Mir said. “But beauty comes with danger. Many have fallen into the river, and I have been there to rescue them. It has been my calling since childhood.”
Mir’s heroism has made him a beloved figure in the region.
Change Agenda
Meanwhile, another contender, Barkati, has filed nomination papers from Ganderbal, though his impact is expected to be minimal. Currently in jail facing multiple cases, his candidacy is unlikely to pose a significant challenge.
As Ganderbal prepares for the elections, the focus remains on the intense contest between Omar and Mir. Will Mir’s local hero status sway voters, or will Abdullah’s political legacy prevail?
“I was young, fresh out of college,” Mir recalls. “The PDP saw my connection with the people, especially the youth, and gave me a chance to contest the 2008 elections. I did not win, but I earned respect and recognition.”
Despite facing challenges, including the recent delimitation that turned his home constituency of Kangan into a reserved seat, Mir remains undeterred.
“Ganderbal and Kangan are like one,” he asserts. “The borders are just lines on a map. The people are the same, their concerns, their needs – they are my people.”
Mir’s campaign seeks to shake the foundations of Kashmir’s political system, long dominated by the National Conference.
“The political scenario in Kashmir has changed,” he says. “For years, there was no alternative to the National Conference. But times have changed. The youth want something different, something new.”
Political Shift
In the highly contested Ganderbal constituency, Mir is poised to disrupt the status quo. His opponent, Omar, comes from a family with a long history of dominance in the area. However, Bashir believes the people are ready for change.
“Omar himself admits that he could not do much when he was in power,” Bashir notes. “If he could not bring about change as Chief Minister, how will he do it now, with even less power? The people of Ganderbal are smart. They know it is time for a new face, someone who knows them, someone who lives their reality every day.”
Bashir also acknowledges the challenges he faces, particularly due to the PDP’s past alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“People were angry when the PDP allied with the BJP,” he admits. “But that was a miscalculation, a mistake from which we have learnt. Since then, Mehbooba Mufti and the PDP have remained firm in their principles, standing up for Kashmiris, even when it was unpopular, even when it cost us.”
Mir’s candidacy in Ganderbal represents more than a local contest – it embodies the shifting political landscape of Kashmir.
“This is about more than Ganderbal,” Bashir emphasises. “It is about the future of Jammu and Kashmir. It is about ensuring that the voices of the people are heard, not silenced. And I am here to be that voice.”