PDP, NC open up the fight in Gulmarg Mir eyes hatrick but no cake walk TUESDAY, 09 DECEMBER 2014 FIRDOUS HASSAN Srinagar: Represented by the Democratic Nationalist Party chief (DPN), Ghulam Hassan Mir, the Gulmarg constituency is set for triangular contest between National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and DPN. The electoral battle in Gulmarg constituency is now a tough contest between NC’s Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, DPN’s sitting MLA Ghulam Hassan Mir and PDP’s Mohammad Abbas Wani who is contesting his maiden election. Mir defeated NC candidate, Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal by a margin of over 7, 000 votes in 2008 Assembly elections. Mir had 18, 253 votes in his kitty and Kamal 11, 812. As the constituency is going for polls today, it will be worth watching whether Mir who has registered victory earlier in 2002 and 2008 will be able to retain his seat for the third consecutive time. Mir in conversation with this reporter said that people have full faith in him and would support him for the third consecutive term for the development he led during his tenure. “I am hopeful that I will retain my seat for third consecutive time. Besides people have strong faith in me and will support me like they did it earlier. It was during my tenure that the area witnessed huge development and prosperity,” he said. Mir however believed that his opponents won’t create any major impact in the constituency. “PDP and NC is nothing new for me as they were making these tall claims during the previous elections. You will see how I will emerge as a winner from Gulmarg constituency,” he added. Looking into the developmental aspect, many areas in the said constituency are struggling for basic amenities like pure drinking water, irrigation, health care, education and electricity. The inhabitants of dozens of the villages of the constituency told The gulmarg news that their areas were lagging behind on developmental fronts. “Mir has been confined to Tangmarg only while the villages at the periphery are yet craving for development. After few minutes of drive on this dilapidated road, you will see a macadamized road and that better road is the beginning of Gulmarg constituency,” a group of locals of Sariwarpora. Similarly the inhabitants of Khaipora belt including Watalpora, Waniloo, Hajibal, Chotipathri, Fajipora, Warpora, Battoo, Ziran, Badipora, Nambal Nar, Ferozpora, Drung, Sheikhpora and Reshipora said that scores of link roads were left unattended for years, because of which locals face a lot of problems. The residents of these villages said that at some places transporters refuse to operate due to the dilapidated condition of roads. “Drung is a tourist place only some three kilometers away from Tangmarg town, but tourists and transporters show reluctance to visit the place, as the only road connecting the area is in dilapidated condition because of which local business in the area is worst hit,” said locals. Meanwhile PDP’s candidate is hopeful of riding on PDP wave that he believes is sweeping the valley where the party is confident of better prospects than the last state polls. “I am 100 percent sure that people are desiring for a change. People are fed up with the poor performance of Ghulam Hassan Mir as he has failed to ensure development in the area.People have suffered for 12 years under Mir’s rule and now they want to set themselves free by electing PDP. We have seen huge response during our roadshows,” Wani said. Further returning to his home constituency after 2008, NC candidate Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal believes that he is in driver’s seat for the assembly polls. “I have started my political career from here in 1987 and I am hopeful that I will mark a big win. Besides I am connected to the people of this constituency since 60’s as I served here as a doctor and BMO. Still I have my 13,000 committed votes and the votes of DPN and PDP will get divided,” he said. Kamal said the areas has not seen development since Mir has won elections from there. “Mir is selfish and he has limited himself to selected people. The area possesses the water supply and road connectivity of NC’s time. There is nothing to be happy about Mir’s rule and I have heard recently that he has sold Gulmarg which will come to the light soon. So I hope for a clean victory from Gulmarg constituency,” Kamal said.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 06:06:39 +0000
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