Habba Kadal constituency which is home to over 20 percent Pandit voters

Munish Gupta
Srinagar , September 23 ( KINS) : The Habba Kadal constituency is set to go to the polls in Phase 2 of the assembly elections on September 25. This constituency has become an electoral battleground for Kashmiri Pandits. Both Muslim and Pandit candidates are conducting door-to-door campaigns, seeking votes. Pandits are expected to play a crucial role in this election, as they make up over 20 % of the voters. At least six Pandits are in the fray from this constituency.
Before 1990, Habba Kadal predominantly had Pandit legislators. However, things changed after the 1990s. In the last two elections, the seat was won by NC’s Shamima Firdous.
There are 92,000 eligible voters in the Habba Kadal constituency, of which around 20,000 are Pandits.
Currently, around 100 Pandits still reside in Habba Kadal, with most having moved to other parts of the country, including the Jagti township in Jammu. Many continue to live in old houses, and political parties are actively seeking their votes.
One Kashmiri Pandit living in Habba Kadal expressed frustration with successive governments for neglecting those who stayed in the valley.
“The government provided jobs and benefits to migrant Pandits, but no one listened to those who did not leave Kashmir. These politicians only visit us during elections. We will vote for the candidate who promises basic facilities like 24/7 electricity, job reservations, and secure accommodation,” he told the Kashmir Indepth News Service, on the condition of anonymity.
“Both Muslims and Hindus have lived together here peacefully over the years, but we still want secure accommodation,” the resident added.
At least six Kashmiri Pandits are contesting from Habba Kadal, which will go to the polls in the second phase on September 25.
Ashok Kumar Bhat is contesting as the BJP candidate, Sanjay Saraf represents the Lok Jan Shakti Party, and Santosh Labroo is running for the All Alliance Democratic Party. Ashok Raina, Panaji Dembi, and Ashok Sahaib are contesting as independents from Habba Kadal. (KINS)