NC has decided to send Mount to Moses by fielding Mian Altaf Ahmed,The Sacred “Peer”

In a daring political gambit, the BJP decides to back Apni Party candidate Zafar Iqbal Manhas in the pivotal Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, igniting speculation and debate across Jammu and Kashmir.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 22,2024||

Anantnag-Rajouri:

As election fever grips the diverse and politically charged region of Jammu and Kashmir, all eyes are on the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, a unique electoral battleground spanning both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions. In a surprising move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen not to field its own candidate, instead throwing its weight behind the Apni Party candidate, Zafar Iqbal Manhas. This decision comes despite BJP state President Ravinder Raina’s confident assertion that a BJP candidate would have won by a landslide margin of 200,000 votes.

*Strategic Silence and Support: BJP’s Calculated Move*.

The BJP’s decision not to nominate a candidate has puzzled many political analysts. Initially, the party provided veiled support to the Apni Party, a move seen as an attempt to consolidate the non-National Conference (NC) vote bank. However, in the final stages of the campaign, BJP leaders have openly endorsed Zafar Iqbal Manhas, highlighting a tactical shift aimed at fortifying their influence in the region.

Balwant Singh Mankotia, a key BJP ally, has been actively campaigning door-to-door for Manhas, reaching out to voters in the remote and challenging terrains of the constituency. High-profile BJP leaders, including Tarun Chugh and Ravinder Raina, have also conducted rallies, subtly reinforcing the Apni Party’s campaign.

*A Constituency of Complexity and Diversity*

The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency is unparalleled in its demographic diversity. It encompasses two districts from the Kashmir division, Anantnag and Kulgam, and two from the Jammu division, Rajouri and Poonch. This area is a microcosm of the region’s varied topography, from the rice fields of Anantnag to the rugged mountains near the Line of Control (LoC).

The electorate is equally diverse, featuring Kashmiri-speaking Muslims, Gujjar-speaking communities in Pahalgam and Kokernag, and a significant number of Pahari-speaking voters in Rajouri and Poonch. This diversity makes it challenging for any single political party to dominate the constituency.

*The NC’s Trump Card: Mian Altaf Ahmed*

In response, the National Conference (NC) has fielded Mian Altaf Ahmed, a leader with deep-rooted influence among the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities. Mian Altaf’s legacy as a respected religious and political figure adds significant weight to his candidacy. His family’s annual Urs at Wangat attracts thousands of devotees, underscoring his considerable support base.

*Mian Altaf Ahmed is not just the political leader of the Gujjar/Bakarwal communities in the four districts of this constituency, he is also the most respected religious leader of this community. For the last four generations, spread over Mian Altaf’s great grandfather down to his father, late Mian Bashir Ahmad, reverently called the ‘Baba Sahib’ (The great father), Mian Altaf sits on a legacy of lethal power against his opponents. Each year on the annual Urs at his ancestral seat in Wangat village of north Kashmir Ganderbal district, thousands of Gujjars/Bakarwals from every nook and corner of Poonch and Rajouri districts and other parts of the UT converge to pay obeisance at the shrine. The ‘Nazrana’ (Devotional offerings) offered at the Wangat shrine includes cash, cattle, sheep and goats whose value runs into crores of Rupees each year. The devotees come to the ‘Peer’ every year at Wangat.*

*BJP’s Open Support for Apni Party*

Recognizing Mian Altaf’s formidable presence, the BJP has openly backed Zafar Iqbal Manhas, aiming to consolidate votes and counterbalance the NC’s stronghold. At a rally in Poonch, J&K BJP General Secretary Vibodh Gupta declared, “We will extend our support to Apni Party’s Zafar Manhas to defeat the politics of corruption and dynastic politics. With the support of BJP, no one can stop Apni Party from winning the poll.”

*Leveraging ST Status for Electoral Gains*

A significant advantage for the BJP in this region is the recent grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community, a long-awaited demand now fulfilled by the central government. With over 300,000 Pahari voters in Rajouri and Poonch, this move is expected to secure their votes for the BJP-backed candidate.

*Fragmented Opposition and Complex Alliances*

The opposition landscape is fractured, with no reconciliation in sight between the NC and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti faces a challenging election as her party’s voter base overlaps with that of the NC, diluting their collective strength. Meanwhile, Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), though not a major contender, could play a spoiler role by diverting votes away from the main parties.

*Iltija Mufti’s Campaign for PDP*

Adding to the drama, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, Iltija Mufti, has been actively campaigning in Poonch, attempting to rally support for her mother. In her speeches, she has cautioned against forces “spreading hatred and pitching one community against another,” implicitly criticizing the BJP’s strategies.

*The Stage is Set: A Battle Royale*

As the election date of May 25 approaches, the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency is poised for a high-stakes showdown. The battle lines are drawn between the NC’s Mian Altaf Ahmed and the BJP-backed Apni Party candidate, Zafar Iqbal Manhas, with the PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti also vying for victory. The BJP’s strategic retreat and subsequent alliance with the Apni Party reflect a nuanced approach to this multifaceted and unpredictable electoral contest.

In a region marked by its strategic significance and voter diversity, the Anantnag-Rajouri election promises to be one of the most thrilling and closely watched contests in Jammu and Kashmir. The outcome will not only shape the political landscape of the region but also signal the effectiveness of BJP’s tactical maneuvers in one of the most complex constituencies in India.