Banihal (J&K), Sep 18: Former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani was one of the first to cast his vote in Ramban district during the ongoing elections. Wani, a former minister who has successfully represented Banihal in both the 2008 and 2014 elections, expressed confidence in securing a third consecutive win. He is up against six other candidates, including National Conference’s Sajjad Shaheen, PDP’s Imtiyaz Shan, and BJP’s Mohd Saleem Bhat.
Speaking to the media after casting his vote at the Tulbagh-Rallu polling station, Wani held the BJP responsible for the prolonged delay in holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. “These elections should have been held in 2019, but due to the BJP’s mismanagement, they were delayed by a decade,” he said. Despite the limited time for his campaign, Wani expressed confidence that his track record of development would earn the trust of voters.
Reflecting on his previous wins, Wani remarked that the support for him this time has been even greater than in the past, stating, “I’m more confident now than ever. The people of Banihal recognize the development work Congress has done, and I believe they will vote for us again.”
Banihal is one of five constituencies where the National Conference and Congress, despite being alliance partners, have fielded their own candidates in what they have termed a “friendly contest.” Wani emphasized that Congress has been the driving force behind Banihal’s development, while the National Conference and PDP have contributed little. He dismissed concerns over his competition, saying that neither the BJP nor NC posed a serious challenge in Banihal, as the BJP’s support is largely confined to Jammu.
The Banihal constituency, nestled in the scenic Pir Panjal mountains, saw enthusiastic voter turnout with long queues forming early in the morning. Local residents, like Sajjad Ahmad, stressed the need for further development, particularly in boosting tourism and improving connectivity to remote areas. “We want better infrastructure and opportunities for the youth in this beautiful region,” Ahmad said.
Wani also highlighted the desire among voters to end central rule and restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “Congress is fighting for these issues, and we are confident of winning four out of five seats in the Chenab Valley,” he asserted. He noted that the National Conference’s influence in Banihal has waned over the years, with the party finishing fourth in 2008 and third in 2014. Despite the “friendly contest” label, Wani acknowledged that the NC has been openly critical of Congress throughout the campaign. He further suggested that the race has narrowed to a direct competition between Congress and PDP.
Meanwhile, Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo, the National Conference candidate from Kishtwar and a former minister, welcomed the return of elections to Jammu and Kashmir after a decade. He praised the election arrangements and said voters were eager to participate, despite the region’s Union Territory status, in order to address key issues like unemployment through the formation of a strong government.