Arjumand Shah
Srinagar Sep 14 (KINS): As the three-phase elections begin on September 18, many children of prominent J&K politicians are stepping into the political arena, with some making their debut.
Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is one such first-time candidate. Omar Abdullah, a third-generation politician, follows in the footsteps of his father, Farooq Abdullah, and grandfather, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS), Mian Mehar Ali, son of MP Mian Altaf Ahmad from Kangan in Central Kashmir, represents the fourth generation of his family in politics.
Salman Sagar, son of National Conference (NC) General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, and Hilal Akbar Lone, son of former Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone, are also continuing their family traditions.
Yawar Mir, son of Muhammad Dilawar Mir of the Apni Party, has previously served as an MLA from Rafiabad. Sajad Gani Lone, son of the assassinated Abdul Gani Lone, and Imran Ansari, son of Shia cleric Moulvi Iftikhar Ansari, are also contenders.
Nasir Aslam Wani, son of the late Bashir Ahmad Wani, and Ahsan Pardesi, son of Ghulam Qadir Pardesi, are contesting on NC tickets. Tanvir Sadiq, son of the late Sadiq Ali, and Irshad Rasool Kar, son of former Congress leader Ghulam Rasool Kar, are also among the candidates.
Sajad Shafi, son of NC leader Muhammad Shafi Uri, is contesting for the Uri constituency. Tariq Hameed Karra, continuing the legacy of Ghulam Mohuiddin Karra, and Rafi Ahmad Mir, son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir, are also in the fray.
These elections, the first since Jammu and Kashmir was reconstituted as a Union Territory in 2019, will take place in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the results being announced on October 8. (KINS)
