Imprisoned cleric Barkati eyes Ganderbal to challenge Omar

Srinagar: Imprisoned cleric Sarjan Ahmad Barkati, known as the “Kashmiri Pied Piper” for his separatist slogans, has expressed his intention to contest against National Conference (NC) vice president and former CM Omar Abdullah in Ganderbal constituency in central Kashmir for the second phase of polling in the assembly elections on Sept 25.Barkati had earlier filed nomination papers as an independent candidate for Zainapora in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, but his candidature was rejected on Aug 28 due to his failure to submit a signed oath of affirmation swearing allegiance to the Constitution.Jailed in Srinagar since Aug 2023 on charges related to anti-national activities, including his alleged role in organising stone-throwing protests in 2016 following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the cleric remains a controversial figure. His wife was also arrested in Nov 2023 in a terrorism-funding case. Barkati’s nephew Rehbar Ahmad confirmed Wednesday that the family has decided to file his nomination papers for Ganderbal — widely regarded as an NC stronghold, having elected three generations of the Abdullah family, starting with party founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1977. His son and current NC chief Farooq Abdullah won the seat in 1983, 1987, and 1996. Omar Abdullah himself was elected from Ganderbal in 2008.Former CM Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP has nominated Bashir Ahmad Mir to contest from Ganderbal, while Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s yet-to-be-recognised Awami Ittehad Party has fielded former Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) president Sheikh Ashiq as an independent candidate for the seat.Barkati could add another layer of competition to the race, complicating matters for Omar, political analysts said. Omar suffered a setback earlier this year when he lost the Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla to Engineer Rashid, the independent candidate arrested by NIA in 2019 and imprisoned in New Delhi’s Tihar jail on terrorism-funding charges.

J-K polls: Omar Abdullah files nomination papers from Ganderbal

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has filed nomination papers for the Ganderbal assembly seat, marking his return to a constituency he represented from 2009 to 2014. After initially vowing not to contest in a union territory legislature, Abdullah reconsidered to avoid sending a wrong signal to voters and party colleagues.

Why I dont want to be in Omar Abdullahs shoes

Omar Abdullah, ex-chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, is running for Assembly from Ganderbal amid significant political changes post-Article 370 abrogation. Despite initially refusing to participate until statehood was restored, he now contends to prevent losing ground to rivals. This election is pivotal for the region's future political landscape.

Give mediation a try: SC to Omar Abdullah, estranged wife

The Supreme Court has recommended mediation for former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his estranged wife Payal Abdullah, who have been living apart for over 15 years. Married in 1994 and separated since 2009, they are entangled in a legal battle over divorce. The court has deferred the hearing on Omar's divorce plea.