The Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has roped in a prominent journalist Zafar Meraj to contest Assembly election from Habba Kadal constituency in capital Srinagar, a seat BJP primarily counts in its Mission 44-plus in Jammu & Kashmir.
Habba Kadal, situated in the core of Srinagar on the banks of River Jhelum, has gained significance for its sizeable Hindu population that left the Valley in early 1990s after eruption of militancy. The BJP is focusing on migrant Pandit voters to cruise through in the election. The constituency, presently represented by National Conference leader Shameem Firdaus, has recorded lowest turnout in previous elections with the least 4.3 per cent turnout in recent lok Sabha polls.
The Kashmir Monitor Editor-in-Chief Zafar Meraj was nominated by the PDP on Tuesday. A law graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, Meraj’s journalistic career spans 35 years. He has extensively covered armed conflict in Kashmir and reported to prominent national newsmagazines before starting his own English daily.
He survived an assassination bid in 1995 when a group of counter-insurgents shot him in abdomen at an abandoned place in the outskirts of Srinagar. Following the attack, he left the Valley for many months but returned to journalism after the situation eased out.
The PDP insiders say that they were looking for a Pandit candidate for the party but decided to field Meraj instead. “Zafar Meraj has worked with Kashmiri Pandits and knows many of them closely. He can get the votes cutting across the religious lines”, a party source said.
Meraj is second journalist in his family to switch over to politics. His maternal uncle Shamim Ahmad Shamim quit journalism in mid 70’s to contest parliament election with the backing of National Conference. However, he was later deserted by the party.
“I have written about and highlighted the miseries of people of Jammu and Kashmir for 35 years. I thought it is time to plunge into the actual field where the miseries of people can be alleviated”, Meraj told The Pioneer.
He said that it was the party’s decision to field him from Habba Kadal constituency.
The BJP has fielded Kashmiri Pandit activist Moti Kaul from the constituency. However, the Panidt vote share is likely to get divided between Kaul and Sanjay Saraf, the national youth president of lok Janshakti Party. Saraf has been active in the Valley for more than a decade.
During the past three elections, Habba Kadal was twice represented by Pandit leaders Pyare lal Handoo (1996) and Raman Matto (2002). However, in 2008 elections, NC nominee Shameem Firdaus, who is seeking re-election this time, bagged 2374 votes to defeat her BJP rival Hira lal Chatta, who polled just 672 votes.
The 2002 winner Raman Matto is also contesting on Congress ticket. Matto went to oblivion after his involvement in the infamous sex scandal that shook power corridors in Kashmir in 2006.
The constituency is going to polls in the fourth phase on December 14. Experts say that the voter turnout will be the decisive factor in the constituency. “The Pandit factor will fizzle out, if electors turn out in large numbers in a few localities”, said Mushtaq Ahmad, an NC supporter in the constituency.