Ramban constituencies to witness keenly fought contests

M Ashraf Khanji & Syed Ali Safvi

JAMMU, Dec 16: The two assembly segments of newly carved district of Ramban - Ramban and Banihal - will go to polls in the sixth round of ongoing assembly elections in the state tomorrow. Total number of registered voters in the district is 1, 47,883, comprising 77,285 male and 70,598 female voters.

Banihal:
As many as 24 candidates are trying their luck from Banihal assembly segment. The apparent division within Congress, National Conference (NC) and People's Democratic Party (PDP) over allotment of mandates is likely to give an edge to independent candidates.

An independent candidate, Maulvi Abdul Rashid is a strong candidate from this constituency. He has been elected four times from this assembly segment. Rashid successfully contested on NC ticket in 1977, 1983 and 1987. In 1996, he contested on Congress ticket and lost to NC's Mohammed Farooq Mir, but in 2002 elections Rashid, who then fought as independent candidate, avenged his defeat by emerging victorious against Mir (NC) by a margin of 6674 votes. After the PDP-Congress coalition government was formed in the state, Rashid went back to Congress camp. He was expecting the party mandate this time, but Congress preferred political debutant Vikar Rasool over Rashid.

Discrepancies over allotment of party tickets have led to infighting among major political parties here and that has added to the winning prospects of Rashid. The four-time MLA holds a considerable sway over a major chunk of voters and is likely to retain the seat. However, it may not be a cake walk for him. He may face a tough competition from Congress' Rasool. Rasool may possibly ride on the anti-incumbency factor against Rashid.

The constituency was represented by Mohammed Akhtar of NC in 1967. Hajira Begum of Congress was declared elected in 1972. Moulvi Abdul Rashid of NC won three successive terms in 1977, 1983 and 1987. Farooq Mir wrested the seat in 1996. Banihal constituency has a total number of 70,552 registered voters, including 37,053 male and 33,499 female voters.

Ramban:
In absence of any strong independent SC candidate, Ramban assembly segment - a reserved Scheduled Caste constituency - is set to witness an intense contest between NC and Congress. As many as 13 candidates are in the fray, including a woman Amrit Varsha of Samajwadi Party (SP).

Dr Chaman Lal of NC, who won the seat in 2002 defeating his nearest rival Ashok Kumar of Congress by a margin of 2,536 votes, is seeking second term from Ramban constituency. However, if the mood of the locals is anything to go by, Congress' Kumar could spring a surprise by avenging his defeat. BJP's candidate, Bali Bhagat is also in the race.

The constituency was represented by NC's Asadullah Mir NC in 1957 and 1962, while Hans Raj and Mohammed Akhter Nizami of Congress emerged victorious in 1967 and 1972 elections, respectively. Prem Nath of NC wrested the seat in 1977, while Jagdev Singh and Bharat Gandhi of the Congress won in 1983 and 1987 elections. In 1996 polls, Bali Bhagat of BJP was declared elected from this constituency.

However, according to locals, both Chaman and Kumar appear to be almost equally placed. It is believed that a very small margin might decide their fate. However, anti-incumbency against Chaman is likely to play a crucial role in the election.

Ramban assembly segment has 77,695 registered voters, comprising 40,525 male and 37,170 female voters.

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