Srinagar, Apr 20: In a major political development, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday sought Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari’s support in North Kashmir for the upcoming parliamentary elections, emphasizing the paramount importance of consolidating votes to prevent fragmentation that has historically favored the NC.
While addressing a press conference, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Lone said, “It’s high time we unite to represent the true will of the majority in North Kashmir. We extend our hand to Apni Party, seeking their crucial support in Baramulla, just as we vow to back them in Srinagar to defeat the forces that have long betrayed the precious mandate of Kashmiris,” he said.
Presenting an impactful statistical analysis, Mr. Lone exposed the stark reality of NC’s stranglehold on North Kashmir.
“Since 1975, with the sole exception of 1996 elections, an astonishing nine out of ten MPs from Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency have hailed from NC,” he proclaimed.
Lone attributed this anomaly to the fragmentation of votes, lamenting, “While the NC’s vote share has plummeted from a staggering 65% in 1982 to a mere 29% in 2019, they still emerged victorious due to the division among anti-NC votes.”
Citing the 2019 elections as a glaring example, Lone revealed that although the NC secured only 133,426 votes out of the 455,999 cast, a staggering 322,573 votes were cast against them.
“This means the NC secured a paltry 29% of the vote, while a resounding 71% of voters rejected their mandate. Alarmingly, for every single vote cast in their favor, 2.5 votes were cast against them. This travesty must end,” he declared.
Lone affirmed that PC leadership had engaged in constructive discussions with Apni Party representatives and for now, their focus remains solely on forging a strategic alliance with Apni Party.
Apni Party has strong influence in Tangmarg, Uri, Rafiabad, Karnah, Budgam and Bandipora district.
According to observers, if the alliance firms-up, it would change electoral dynamics in north Kashmir and Central Kashmir Lok Sabha segments.
—(KNO)
