PDP’s Iltija Mufti Set to Defend Family’s Stronghold as Assembly Polls Approach in South Kashmir
Election Showdown in Kashmir: PDP’s Iltija Mufti Faces Off Against NC and BJP Rivals for Key Seat
Srinagar, Aug 31: The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is pinning its hopes on Iltija Mufti, the daughter of party president Mehbooba Mufti, to maintain control of the Srigufwara-Bijbehara Assembly seat, a stronghold for the party since 1996. Formerly known as Bijbehara before the 2022 delimitation, this seat in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district will be contested in the first phase of the upcoming Assembly elections on September 18.
With only three candidates vying for this seat—PDP’s Iltija Mufti, National Conference’s (NC) Bashir Ahmad Shah, and BJP’s Sofi Mohammad Yousuf—the constituency stands out for having the fewest contenders among the 24 seats up for grabs in this election phase.
At 37 years old, Iltija Mufti’s potential victory would not only reinforce the PDP’s dominance but also solidify the Mufti family’s long-standing influence in the region. This seat has been a crucial part of the PDP’s legacy since 1996, and winning it would continue a significant family tradition.
The PDP’s historical connection to this constituency dates back to its founder, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who began his political career by winning the Bijbehara seat in 1962 under the NC banner. His daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, also launched her political journey from Bijbehara, securing a seat on the Congress ticket before the PDP’s formation.
Previously, senior PDP leader Abdul Rehman Bhat won four consecutive elections from Bijbehara until 2014. This election cycle, Bhat is running from the Shangus-Anantnag West constituency, reflecting the party’s strategy to diversify its representation.
The NC, led by Bashir Ahmad Shah, aims to challenge the PDP’s longstanding control of the seat. Shah’s father, Abdul Gani Shah, held the Bijbehara seat from 1977 to 1990, and the NC hopes to reclaim this influential position.
The BJP’s Sofi Mohammad Yousuf, a 57-year-old seasoned politician who joined the party during a time when it was less popular in Kashmir, seeks to make history by securing the BJP’s first Assembly seat in the region. Having served as an MLC during the PDP-BJP coalition government, Yousuf is a well-established figure in the local political landscape.
As the election draws closer, the intense competition between the PDP, NC, and BJP highlights the strategic importance of the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat in shaping the future political dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir.
