National Conference reclaims its fortress in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 8: In a dramatic turn of events that has reshaped the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC)-Congress Alliance has achieved a resounding victory in the Srinagar district—capturing all eight assembly seats. This sweeping win reaffirms the NC’s traditional stronghold and sends a powerful message about the Valley’s political preferences.Historically, Srinagar has been the crown jewel for the National Conference (NC), a party with a deep-rooted legacy in Jammu & Kashmir politics. However, the political terrain has evolved dramatically. In the 2014 Assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) dealt a blow to NC’s dominance by snatching 5 out of the 8 seats in Srinagar city. However, this time NC has reclaimed its fortress. Veteran NC leader Ali Muhammad Sagar further cemented his political legacy by securing his fifth consecutive term. Sagar’s victory margin of 9,912 votes, with a total of 14,906 votes, demonstrates his enduring popularity. The defeat of independent candidate Sheikh Imran, who received 4,994 votes, underscores the challenge faced by non-aligned candidates in NC strongholds.The Habba Kadal constituency, notable for its significant migrant voter population exceeding 25,000, saw NC’s Shamima Firdous successfully defend her seat. Firdous secured a convincing win with 12,437 votes, leading by 9,538 votes. The poor showing of BJP’s Ashok Kumar Bhat (2,899 votes) and PDP’s Arif Laigaroo (602 votes) in this constituency is particularly significant, given the demographic composition of the electorate.