As the battle for Srinagar heats up, the BJP seems to be giving sleepless nights to its opponents in Habba Kadal constituency.
This is the place where Muslims and Pandits lived side by side before militancy struck the region. Be it thye congested neighbourhoods of Ganpatyar or Kak Sari, Habba Kadal or Chinkral Mohalla, the Pandits would follow their muslim neighbours to temples after the Azan was recited in mosques. Bhajan and naat (praising Prophet Muhammad) would reverberate.
The constituency was a typical microcosm of Kashmiryat that ruled supreme when Kashmir was peaceful. Habba Kadal is the only 100 per cent urban population constituency with history of boycott and the highest migrant voters.
A test case for the BJP to open its account in the Muslim majority valley, Habba Kadal is at the heart of battle between the saffron party and the rest (mostly National Conference). It is however the migrant pandits' votes that could tilt the balance in BJP's favour. The constituency, which has not gone beyond 12 per cent of turnout in two decades, could spring a surprise.
"BJP has promised three seats to be reserved for pandits in the valley. It is very positive about our settlement in the valley. I am astonished to notice that NC and PDP have not given a single mandate to pandits. Therefore we have appealed pandits to vote for the BJP", said Ashwani Chrangoo, president of Panun Kashmir, an apex body of migrant pandits.
BJP has fielded Moti Kaul, a Kashmiri pandit from Habba Kadal apparently keeping in view the past history of the constituency. National Conference has fielded sitting MLA Shameem Firdous while PDP has reposed faith in journalist turned politician Zaffar Mehraj. Congress and Lok Janshakti Party have field two pandits, Raman Mattoo who was acquitted in sex scandal case and Sanjay Saraf respectively.
Habba Kadal has an electorate of 54852 of which 16271 migrant votes which can prove a decisive in the event of less polling. In 2008 only 11.62 per cent polling was recorded in the constituency with only 5769 voters mustering courage to go to polling booths to vote.
"Migrant votes are important but they are a very small number. We are expecting good voter turnout for us. I am hoping they (Muslim) will (come to vote) in spite what may be the situation. I I have got connected to youth and weaker section of society and they are yearning for change", said Moti Kaul, BJP candidate from Habba Kadal constituency
National Conference candidate from the constituency Habba Kadal Shameema Firdous, who is chairperson of State Women Commission, said BJP is trying to polarise the elections on communal lines.
"We have worked hard in the constituency. We are seeking votes on the work that we have done. BJP candidate has been living outside. We have been on ground. I am hopeful that people this time around will come out and vote", Shameema said.
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