Srinagar, Sep 24 (KNO): The Ganderbal Assembly segment in central Kashmir is poised for a triangular contest in the upcoming elections, with former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC), Bashir Ahmad Mir of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former MLA Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, who is running as an independent candidate, as the key contenders.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a total of 15 candidates are contesting the Ganderbal seat. These include Bashir Ahmad Mir (PDP), Ab Rashid Ganaie (Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party), Omar Abdullah (NC), Tariq Ahmad Zargar (Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party), Zahoor Ahmad Malik (Republican Party of India - A), Gulam Qadir Wani (Rashtriya Lok Dal), Qazi Mubashir Farooq (Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party), Qaiser Sultan Ganie (Democratic Progressive Azad Party), and several independent candidates: Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh, Saquib Rehman Makdoomi, Javid Ahmad Wani, Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, Ashiq Ahmad Sheikh (backed by the AIP), Farooq Ahmad Bhat and Majid Ashraf Mir.
The Ganderbal Assembly segment has a total of 126,504 voters, including 63,093 male voters and 63,410 female voters.
Political analysts believe the race won’t be easy for Omar Abdullah, as his former ally Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh is now contesting as an independent candidate and will divide NC’s vote share. Sheikh’s wife, who serves as the DDC Chairperson, may further strengthen his support base. Besides Omar Abdullah and Bashir Mir, both Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh and Qaiser Sultan Ganie are expected to secure a substantial number of votes.
The division of NC votes could benefit the PDP, particularly its senior leader Bashir Ahmad Mir, who previously secured around 25,000 votes in Kangan during the 2024 elections, though the seat is now reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), according to analysts.
Past election results
In 2014, Ganderbal had 90,582 electors, with 53,539 valid votes cast. Ishfaq Ahmad Sheikh (NC) won with 19,478 votes, defeating PDP’s Qazi Mohammad Afzal by a narrow margin of 597 votes.
In 2008, the constituency had 76,971 electors, with 39,818 valid votes. Omar Abdullah (NC) won with 16,519 votes, defeating PDP’s Qazi Mohammad Afzal by 8,215 votes.
In 2002, Ganderbal had 68,402 electors, with 24,081 valid votes. PDP’s Qazi Mohd Afzal won with 11,622 votes, defeating Omar Abdullah (NC), who secured 8,752 votes, by a margin of 2,870 votes.
In 1996, with 49,558 electors, 23,403 valid votes were cast. Farooq Abdullah (NC) won the seat with 16,440 votes, defeating Congress candidate Qazi Mohd Afzal by 12,823 votes.
In 1987, the constituency had 47,051 electors, with 38,418 valid votes. Farooq Abdullah (NC) won with 30,255 votes, defeating independent candidate Abdul Khaliq Sofi by 22,809 votes.
In 1983, Ganderbal had 39,769 electors, with 33,745 valid votes. Farooq Abdullah (NC) won with 32,331 votes, defeating Congress candidate Ghulam Mohi Ud Din Saiati by a massive margin of 31,096 votes.
In 1977, the constituency had 35,118 electors, with 29,671 valid votes. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (NC) won with 26,162 votes, defeating independent candidate Ali Mohammad Taria by 22,653 votes—(KNO)