Notification issued for Srinagar LS seat; Ruhullah, Para, Mir in fray

Jammu: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued notification for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections including the Srinagar parliamentary constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, with the contest primarily between National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP).
NC, PDP, and Apni Party have announced their candidates for this seat. NC has made former state minister and Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi as its candidate. PDP has declared Waheed Rehman Parra as its candidate, while the Apni Party has given the mandate to Mohammad Ashraf Mir.
Congress and National Conference(NC) have announced to contest elections together in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. BJP has not yet announced the names of candidates for three seats in Kashmir Valley including the much anticipated Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.
It appears the contest is primarily between Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of NC and Waheed Rehman Parra of PDP, though Srinagar parliamentary constituency was won by the People's Democratic Party candidate Tariq Hameed Karra in 2014. Karra later resigned from PDP forcing a bye-election in 2017. In 2017 NC patriarch Dr Farooq Abdullah won the seat by defeating PDP candidate Nazir Ahmed Khan. In 2019 as well Dr Farooq Abdullah beat PDP candidate Aga Syed Mohsin and became MP for the fourth time. This time senior Abdullah chose to remain out of electoral politics due to health issues.
Along with Srinagar, the elections for the seat will take place on May 13 in 102 constituencies across nine states. According to the poll body's notification, the last date for making nominations is April 25. Scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 26.
As per sources, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) led by Ghulam Nabi Azad is likely to field Nazir Ahmad Yatoo from the Srinagar parliamentary seat. Moreover there are also reports of DPAP may extend its support to People's Conference (PC) President and candidate Sajjad Gani Lone from Baramulla seat of Kashmir Valley in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday announced not to contest elections from Anantnag-Rajori seat. He has now declared Advocate Mohd Saleem Parry as the candidate from this seat.
Returning Officer 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency today issued a notification for Lok Sabha polls in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency. “An election is to be held of a member to the House of the People in the 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency. Nomination papers may be delivered by a candidate or any of his/her prospers to the Returning Officer (Deputy Commissioner Srinagar), 2-Srinagar. Parliamentary Constituency or ARO, Additional Deputy Commissioner (M) at DC Office Srinagar, Amar Niwas Complex, between 11 am and 3 pm on any day (other than Public Holiday) not later than 25th April 2024 (Thursday)”, the notification issued reads.
It also reads that “Forms of nomination paper may be obtained at the place and times aforesaid. Nomination papers will be taken up for scrutiny at RO Office 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, (DC Office Srinagar, Amar Niwas Complex) on 26th April 2024 (Friday) at 10:30 am”.
“Notice of withdrawal of candidature may be delivered either by a candidate or by any of his/her prospers or by his/her election agent who has been authorized in writing by the candidate to deliver it to either of the officers specified in paragraph (2) above at his office specified above before 03:00 pm on or before 29th of April, 2024 (Monday)”, the notification said.
It also added that in the event of the election being contested, the poll will be taken on 13th May, 2024 (Monday) between 07:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Updated On 4/19/2024 2:19:47 AM