Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Sep 19: As the three-phase assembly polls in Jammu & Kashmir commenced on September 18, the first phase saw a voter turnout of 59 percent across 24 constituencies. Political campaigning is ramping up in Srinagar, where candidates are increasingly prioritising door-to-door outreach.
With Srinagar scheduled to vote in the second phase on September 25, candidates from various political parties, including independents, are engaging directly with locals to address pressing ground-level issues.
Tariq Hameed Karra, the National Conference-Congress alliance candidate from Central Shaletang, has not only held rallies but has also been seen connecting directly with constituents at designated meeting points in a constituency that was redrawn during the recent delimitation exercise.
Similarly, Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari is actively meeting locals in Chanapora, a newly established constituency. National Conference (NC) candidate Ahsan Pardesi has also been engaging with residents in Lal Chowk to understand their concerns.
Arif Laigroo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), contesting from Habba Kadal, is focusing on issues like high electricity bills, unemployment and inadequate infrastructure during his outreach efforts.
Independent candidates in Srinagar’s eight assembly constituencies are also striving to connect with voters on the ground. Zaffar Habib Dar of the Apni Party, a first-time candidate, has found his door-to-door outreach to be enlightening, stating that it has helped him understand the reality of voters who feel abandoned by previous promises.
This election is particularly significant as it marks the first assembly election in Jammu & Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and the state’s subsequent reorganisation into a Union Territory. It is also the first assembly poll following a controversial delimitation that allocated 47 seats for Kashmir and 43 for Jammu.
Following the first phase, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the second phase on September 25, with the final phase scheduled for October 1.
Political experts say that for newcomers, especially those contesting for the first time since the changes in 2019, direct voter engagement is essential, especially given the short notice of the polls.
They said it is important to address local grievances and foster personal connections in a region where trust in political institutions has been historically fragile.
Srinagar’s diverse population, from the narrow lanes of the old city to modern neighbourhoods, provides an opportunity for candidates to tailor their messages to the unique needs of each community.
Advocate Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, a political expert, said that in a landscape altered by the abrogation of special status, grassroots outreach can help overcome barriers of distrust.
“Face-to-face interactions addressing local issues like unemployment and infrastructure can influence voter sentiment and build respect,” he said.
Personal engagement and shared stories can humanise campaigns far more effectively than large rallies or advertisements, he added.
The assembly elections will conclude on October 01, with results expected to be announced on October 08.
