J&K Elections Phase 1: 9 Female Candidates In Poll Fray
The nine female candidates are contesting in the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls on September 18. Among them, five candidates—Daisy Raina (Rajpora Pulwama), Sakina Itoo (D H Pora), Gulshan Akhter (Anantnag West), Iltija Mufti (Bijbehara-Srigufwara), and Afroza Bano (Kulgam)—are from Kashmir division. Candidates from Jammu division are Pooja Thakur (Padder-Nagsani), Shagun Parihar (Kishtwar), Meenakshi Kalra (Doda), and Meenakshi Bhagat (Bhaderwah).
Daisy Raina – Rajpora Pulwama
Daisy Raina is the first woman Kashmiri Pandit in three decades to contest elections in Jammu and Assembly polls. She is fielding from the Rajpora seat of Pulwama district and under the banner of the Republican Party of India (RPI). Raina has already earned a reputation as a community leader with a deeper understanding of local issues and hopes her political journey will advance her contribution to society to the next level. She aims to work on grassroots development and women’s empowerment in her constituency.
Sakina Itoo – D H Pora
Senior National Conference (NC) Leader Sakina Itoo will contest from Damhal Hanjipora (DH Pora), previously known as Noorabad. She is the daughter of the late Wali Mohammad Itoo, a former NC leader and speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election. The constituency is considered a stronghold of the Itoo family, and she represented it twice—in 1996 and 2008. During her second term, she was the only woman minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government. Though in the 2014 election, Itoo lost the seat, she is still viewed as a strong contender.
Gulshan Akhter – Anantnag West
Gulshan Akhter is contesting from Anantnag West as an independent candidate. A retired government teacher, Akhtar’s intention is to become an independent voice in the assembly rather than being tied to any party ideologies and politics. To become a champion of social justice is her intention in joining the political arena. The electoral field is not new to Gulshan. In the recently held Lok Sabha polls, she fielded from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat and lost.
Iltija Mufti – Bijbehara-Srigufwara
Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, is making her political debut from Bijbehara-Srigufwara constituency. She entered 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. Bijbehara is considered a traditional PDP stronghold and as of the Mufti family.
Afroza Bano – Kulgam
Afroza Bano is fielding from the Kulgam assembly constituency as an independent candidate. A former Block Development Council (BDC) chairperson, Bano maintains a strong link to grassroots politics. Aside from continuing her work as a BDC chairperson, her electioneering stresses healthcare, education, and local development in her constituency.
Pooja Thakur – Padder-Nagsani
Pooja Thakur is contesting from the Paddar-Nagseni assembly segment on a National Conference (NC) ticket. Possessing a strong academic background, Thakur is appreciated for her commitment to advancing women’s rights and her efforts to improve political participation among youth. Her campaign put emphasis on addressing local problems, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, making her a strong candidate for the constituency.
Meenakshi Kalra – Doda West
Meenakshi Kalra is an independent candidate fielding from Doda West. She states that the assembly segment in which she is contesting is very underdeveloped, if voted to power, she will fight for the rights and development of the area. Kalra’s electioneering also stresses educational reforms, women’s empowerment, and rural development, focusing on uplifting the underrepresented sections of society.
Shagun Parihar – Kishtwar
Shagun Parihar, a BJP candidate, is facing her debut poll from Kishtwar. Though she had no plans to join politics at least anytime soon, a tragic event has changed all her plans. On November 1, 2018, Shagun’s father, Ajit Parihar, and her uncle and veteran BJP leader and then secretary, Anil Parihar, were shot dead in a terrorist attack in Kishtwar. She stressed that these elections are not just about her or her family but for all those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Meenakshi Bhagat – Bhaderwah
Meenakshi Bhagat, aged 25, is the youngest candidate in the Assembly polls. She will field from Bhaderwah on a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) ticket. A BTech graduate from NIT Srinagar, she aims to advance her technical background to address issues such as unemployment and infrastructure in her constituency. “I will work to bridge the gap between police and women, as women usually fear bringing their issues to the notice of the police,” Bhagat told local news agency KNO. Her candidature adds a fresh lease of life in the polls, representing the aspirations of the younger generation in Bhaderwah.
