Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 23: The aggressive and emotional campaign led by Sugra Barkati in support of her father, incarcerated religious scholar Sarjan Barkati, has surprised many in the Beerwah constituency as she has been drawing large crowds and reshaping the political dynamics.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), there are 12 candidates contesting the election in Beerwah, including National Conference’s Shafi Ahmad Wani, Ali Mohammad Dar of Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party (Bhim), Ghulam Ahmad Khan of the People’s Democratic Party, Showkat Wani of People’s Conference, Showkat Hussain Mir of Awami National Conference, and Nisar Dar of the Samajwadi Party. Independent candidates include Nazir Ahmad Khan of the Nationalist Congress Party, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, Sanjay Parva, Farooq Ganaie, Mir Fanoon Farooq, and Nazir Ahmad Khan.
The Beerwah constituency has a total of 97,604 voters, including 49,709 male voters, 47,891 female voters, and four third-gender voters.
Political analysts have identified the main contest as being between the PDP’s Ghulam Ahmad Khan, the NC’s Shafi Wani, and DDC Chairperson Nazir Ahmad Khan, who is backed by Engineer Rasheed’s Awami Ittehad Party. However, they also note that Sugra Barkati’s campaign has gained significant traction. Her emotional speeches and grassroots engagement have positioned her as a strong contender, potentially disrupting the expected electoral dynamics.
Past Election Results
In the 2014 elections, the Beerwah constituency had 93,046 registered voters, with 69,397 casting their ballots. The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference’s Omar Abdullah won the seat, securing 23,717 votes, while the Indian National Congress’s Nazir Ahmad Khan came in second with 22,807 votes, losing by a margin of 910 votes.
In the 2008 elections, the constituency had 83,941 electors, with 47,995 valid votes cast. Shafi Ahmad Wani of the PDP emerged victorious with 11,720 votes, narrowly defeating the NC’s Ab Majid Matoo, who secured 11,556 votes, by just 164 votes.
In 2002, the Beerwah constituency had 72,976 electors, with 25,583 valid votes. The PDP’s Mohd Sarfraz Khan won with 16,886 votes, defeating NC candidate Mohd Amin Banday, who received 4,966 votes, by a margin of 11,920 votes.
In 1996, the constituency had 62,988 electors, and 43,550 valid votes were cast. Aga Syed Mehmood Almosvi of the NC won the seat with 19,456 votes, defeating Janata Dal candidate Sarfaraz Khan, who received 17,798 votes, by a margin of 1,658 votes.
In 1987, the constituency had 45,062 electors, with 32,446 valid votes. Syed Ahmad Syed of the NC won with 15,341 votes, while independent candidate Ghulam Mohmad Mir stood second with 10,016 votes, losing by 5,325 votes.
In 1983, the constituency had 40,739 electors, and 22,747 valid votes were cast. Syed Ahmad Saeed of the NC won with 13,879 votes, while Abdul Ahad Magray of the PC came second with 2,903 votes, losing by 10,976 votes.
In 1977, the constituency had 35,225 electors, with 24,563 valid votes. Ahmad Saeed of the NC won the seat with 14,918 votes, defeating Janata Party candidate Syed Ali Shah, who received 7,737 votes, by a margin of 7,181 votes—(KNO)
