Iltija Mufti And Her Political Debut From Bijbehara (image:x.com/jkpdp)

As Jammu and Kashmir going to witness first assembly polls in a decade, it also marks the political debut of Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. She will be contesting from Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency in south Kashmir, a traditional PDP stronghold.

Iltija, 37, entered into politics when Mehbooba Mufti was imprisoned following the abrogation of Article 370. She was seen campaigning for her mother’s release and later filled in as media adviser for the PDP chief. Iltija was also active in the campaigns for Mufti during the Lok Sabha election earlier this year.

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While talking to reporters, after submitting nomination papers, Iltija underlined her commitment to address the “injustice and harassment meted out to the people of Kashmir.”

Historically, Bijbehara assembly seat considered as a stronghold for the Mufti family. Mehbooba Mufti and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba’s father and Iltija’s grandfather, launched their career from the constituency even before the formation of PDP. Mehbooba Mufti made her electoral debut in 1996 from the constituency on a Congress ticket.

Continuing the family legacy, Iltija is the third generation member from Mufti family to contest polls from Bijbehara. She has replaced senior party leader Abdul Rehman Veeri, who represented the constituency from 1999 to 2018. Veeri will now represent Anantnag East.

However, she is facing criticisms over nepotism and favouritism. When she is being asked about dealing with charges of nepotism she told Hindustan Times: “I think this is a figment of the media’s imagination, and this is something that is, interestingly, being planted in Delhi because I read about it as well. People in the party have no problem at all. In fact, this was an idea that was pitched by them.”

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Iltija is pitted against BJP candidate Sofi Yousuf and National Conference (NC)’s Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri. The polls in Srigufwara-Bijbehara along with 23 other constituencies are scheduled for September 18 and counting of votes will take place on October 4.