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No smooth sailing for Omar, Altaf

By Shujaat Bukhari

Women supporters of the National Conference president, Omar Abdullah, at his rally in the Dal lake area on Sunday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

KANGAN/GANDERBAL SEPT. 22. The high-profile Ganderbal segment of Srinagar district is all set for a straight fight between the National Conference Chief Ministerial candidate, Omar Abdullah, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) nominee, Qazi Mohammad Afzal. The same is the case with the neighbouring Kangan segment, where the Health Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmed, is pitted against the PDP's Ghulam Mohammad Dar. These segments go to polls on September 24.

There was hectic campaigning by both the parties culminating in largely attended public meetings. The mood in Kangan and Ganderbal was no different from Kupwara and Handwara segments, which witnessed brisk polling in the first phase. However, the threat of militants still hung in certain areas, where the people are not even ready to talk about the elections. ``We do not know'' was the reply from Manzoor Ahmed, a youth in Gutlibagh. On persistence, a group of people said they might vote. But an elderly person whispered ``they are there'', pointing to the nearby forest. A villager said no party except the PDP had visited this area.

Ganderbal has been in media focus for quite some time. This is because it has been traditionally held by the ruling Sheikh dynasty. Earlier represented by the Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, also known as the Lion of Kashmir, the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, started his journey to the Assembly from here in 1983 and has now finally handed over the segment to his son, Mr. Omar Abdullah. The ground seems to be slippery for Mr. Abdullah, who is feeling the pinch of what the locals believe his father did not do. ``He (Dr. Abdullah) represents us, has he visited us?'' asks an angry youth in Ganderbal.

He promised the ``heaven'' for Ganderbal, but nothing came except a few constructions. This anti-NC wave the PDP's Qazi Afzal is trying to exploit, pulling in large crowds. However, the NC activists are confident of getting through. ``The difficulties are all a media creation, on the ground the situation is different which will be known to the public on October 10 (counting day),'' said a confidant of Mr. Omar.

The NC has taken it as a prestige issue and that is why observers do not share the view that he is on a weak wicket.

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