NC's Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri Defeats Iltija Mufti In Srigufwara-Bijbehara

In Mufti family turf, NC’s Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri bagged victory in Srigufwara-Bijbehara. He defeated Iltija Mufti, daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief and former Chief Minister in her political debut by a margin of 9,770 votes.

Bijbehara is considered as a traditional PDP stronghold. There is also longstanding family feud lies over the seat between NC and PDP. NC leader Abdul Ghani Shah Veeri has defeated PDP founder and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from the seat twice. He has been close to Sheikh Abdullah’s close associate and has been elected MLA from Bijbehara four times. Abdul Ghani Veeri is the son of Dr. Bashir Veeri.

In the 2008 elections, Dr Veeri lost the seat by a margin of 10274 votes. However, in 2014 elections Dr Veeri has reduced the vote margin to just 2868 votes. Thus, it was after two successive losses in the constituency, Dr. Bashir Veeri wrested Bijbehara. During the campaigning, he appeared confident that he will defeat Iltija and apparently he has strengthened his base in the assembly segment.

Besides, NC and Veer’s supporters relied on the growing anti-incumbency sentiment against the PDP. Veeri constantly stressed the PDP’s past coalition with the BJP. “In 2014, a strong PDP wave secured their victory easily, but this time, people will remember the betrayal of joining hands with the BJP and cast their votes accordingly,” the Kashmiriyat quotes as Dr Veeri is saying.

Meanwhile, , the veteran PDP leader and Mufti loyalist Abdul Rehman Bhat (Veeri) who previously secured the Bijbehara seat has shifted his contest to Anantnag East constituency to pave way for Iltija Mufti.