Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 24: Mian Mehar Ali of the National Conference (NC) is contesting the Kangan seat, which has been reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). This seat has a long family history, having been represented by his father, Mian Altaf and grandfather, Mian 1972.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Kangan constituency is witnessing a competition among six candidates, including Mian Mehar Ali (National Conference), Atta Mohammad Khatana (Apni Party), Mohammad Ayoub Chohan (All Jammu & Kashmir Liberal Democratic Party), Abdul Majeed Baniyea (Republican Party of India – A), Syed Jamat Ali Shah (People’s Democratic Party and Gulam Rabani Tadwa (Anarakshit Samaj Party).
With 77,537 registered voters (39,324 male and 38,213 female voters), the main contest, according to analysts, is between the NC’s Mian Mehar Ali and PDP’s Syed Jamat Ali Shah. Atta Mohammad Khatana from the Apni Party is also expected to secure a portion of the vote.
Mian Mehar Ali, supported by his father Mian Altaf, who has represented Kangan five times, has an advantage. Mian Altaf’s strong political legacy in Kangan gives Mehar a boost. The constituency has been continuously represented by the family since Mian Bashir’s win in 1972, followed by Mian Altaf.
The election history of the Kangan legislative assembly constituency reflects a consistent dominance by the National Conference (JKNC), with Mian Altaf Ahmad emerging as a key political figure over the years.
In the 2014 election, the constituency had a total of 69,590 registered electors, of which 54,784 cast valid votes. Mian Altaf, the candidate from JKNC, won the seat by securing 25,812 votes, narrowly defeating his closest competitor, Bashir Ahmad Mir from the Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 24,380 votes. The victory margin was 1,432 votes, signaling a closely contested battle.
In the 2008 election, the number of electors stood at 58,688, with 34,939 valid votes cast. Mian Altaf Ahmad secured the seat for NC, receiving 19,210 votes. Bashir Ahmad Mir of PDP followed with 11,495 votes, and the margin of victory widened to 7,715 votes compared to the later 2014 contest.
Going back to the 2002 election, the total number of electors was 50,452, and 26,249 valid votes were counted. Mian Altaf secured a decisive win with 16,987 votes, defeating PDP’s Ghulam Mohd Dar, who managed only 5,948 votes. The victory margin in this election was a substantial 11,039 votes, further solidifying JKNC’s dominance in the constituency.
The 1996 election saw a total of 38,836 electors and 23,886 valid votes. Mian Altaf of NC won with a commanding 21,553 votes, while his opponent, Qazi Mohd Afzal from the Indian National Congress (INC), garnered only 954 votes. The victory margin was a staggering 20,599 votes, reflecting the overwhelming support for NC at the time.
In the 1987 election, the constituency had 40,784 electors, and 31,810 valid votes were cast. Mian Altaf Ahmad, running as the candidate for the Indian National Congress (INC), won with 14,644 votes. His closest rival, Gul Mohd War, an independent candidate, secured 9,952 votes, with a victory margin of 4,692 votes.
The 1977 election witnessed Mian Altaf’s father, Mian Bashir Ahmad of NC winning with 20,808 votes out of 23,898 valid votes cast. The total number of electors in that election was 32,623. Mohd Afzi of the Janata Party stood second with 3,090 votes, and the margin of victory was 17,718 votes.
In the 1972 election for the Kangan legislative assembly constituency, there were a total of 27,885 registered electors, with 20,829 valid votes cast. Mian Bashir Ahmed, the candidate from the Indian National Congress (INC), secured a decisive victory, winning with 16,593 votes. His closest competitor, Ahad Bhat of Jamaat-e-Islami, received 3,974 votes, resulting in a significant margin of 12,619 votes—(KNO)
