Devsar Constituency: Four Key Players In Poll Fray

Devsar constituency in Jammu and Kashmir has evolved through representation of various political parties. In the upcoming Assembly polls, the key players for the seat include Sartaj Madni (PDP), Amanullah Mantoo (Congress), Mohammad Amin Bhat (DPAP) and Peerzada Feroze Ahmad (NC).

Mohammad Sartaj Ahmad Madni

Mohammad Sartaj Ahmad Madni is the maternal uncle of Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former chief minister. The senior leader has secured victory in the Devsar seat in 2002 and 2008 Assembly elections. In 2002 elections, Madni emerged winner by defeating the CPI (M) candidate Mohammad Yaqub by a margin of 3026 votes. In 2008, he retained the seat by defeating NC’s Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah by 4001 votes. Though Madni’s voting percentage showed increase, however, in the 2014 assembly polls he lost the seat to Congress candidate Mohammad Amin Bhat. In the Lok Sabha elections held early this year, former legislator was nominated as the chairman of PDP parliamentary board.

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Mohammad Amin Bhat

Mohammad Amin Bhat is the former MLA of Devsar. In 2014, Bhat, who then belonged to Congress party secured victory by defeating the sitting PDP MLA Sartaj Madni for a margin of 1511 votes. During his tenure with the grand old party, he has served as MLC and State Youth President as well. In 2022, following the footsteps of veteran leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, members including Bhat quit from the party offering “support” to Azad.

Meanwhile, this election constitute the debut Assembly polls for the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) formulated by the former Congress leader and Chief Minister of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad. While contesting again from Devsar, now  a DPAP candidate, Bhat hopes to repeat victory like last time.

Amanullah Mantoo and Peerzada Feroze Ahmad

The forthcoming polls marks the political debut of Congress candidate Amanullah Mantoo and NC nominee Peerzada Feroze Ahmad. Peerzada Ahmad serves as the NC’s Constituency Incharge for Devsar and as the Zonal President for Youth in South Kashmir with the Youth National Conference.

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Devsar is one among the five constituencies where NC and Congress are in a “friendly” contest. As per the observation of political analysts, two parties in the poll fray could ultimately aid PDP due to the split of votes. Besides, PDP leader’s long political career and stronghold in the grassroot politics makes it a tough competition.

However, experts held that how the recent delimitation exercises in the constituency going to affect the polls is unable to predict.