Bilal Bashir Bhat
As the BJP seeks to deepen its influence in Kashmir by securing the maximum possible seats in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir UT Assembly Elections, the party has placed its hopes on Engineer Aijaz Hussain. A rising star known for his impressive performance in the District Development Council (DDC) elections, Hussain has been entrusted with contesting from Kashmir’s political heart, the Lal Chowk constituency.
Hussain aka Aijaz Balhami made headlines as one of the three BJP candidates to achieve victory in the 2020 DDC elections, the first electoral contest following the abrogation of Article 370. His success is now pivotal to the BJP’s broader strategy to consolidate its foothold in Kashmir. An engineer by profession, Hussain won his seat from Khunmoh and has been associated with the BJP since 2006, holding various responsibilities across India as a Yuva Morcha office bearer.
Aijaz Hussain has been credited with securing a seat in the DDC elections and symbolizing the party’s expanding reach in a region where it has traditionally faced challenges. His victory, achieved under the BJP’s lotus symbol, was regarded as a significant milestone, reflecting the party’s growing ability to engage with local voters on key issues such as development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure enhancement.
According to party insiders speaking to OnlyKashmir.in, Hussain’s engineering background and his professional approach to addressing challenges have particularly resonated with the youth and educated voters, a crucial demographic for the BJP’s expansion plans. With Lal Chowk representing not just the political center but also the historical pulse of Kashmir, Hussain’s candidacy there sends a clear message of the BJP’s intention to establish a lasting and influential presence in the Valley.
Pertinently, besides BJP’s Engineer Aijaz Hussain, the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference have pinned hopes on Zuhaib Mir and Ahsan Pardesi respectively.
On the other hand, Apni Party has given the mandate to Mohammad Ashraf Mir for the Lal Chowk constituency. Mir, who previously parted ways from PDP, and unsuccessfully contested the recently held Parliament elections.
Citing sources, a reputed local Newsgathering agency Kashmir News Trust, in its report said, PDP’s candidate has never visited any part of the constituency, making him an anonymous figure among voters. Similarly, Pardesi has not organized any events or conferences, further distancing himself from potential supporters.
In contrast, Aijaz, the BJP candidate, has been actively meeting with constituents and organizing events, making him a more visible and relatable figure in the community. If current trends persist, Balhami may emerge as the frontrunner in the election.
“The lack of engagement from PDP and NC candidates has raised concerns about their commitment to representing the constituency, leaving voters to question their motivations and priorities. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Mir and Pardesi will make a last-minute push to connect with voters or if Balhami’s efforts will pay off at the polls.” the report reads.
At present, all eyes are on Engineer Aijaz Hussain, as the BJP places its bet on his leadership to usher in a new chapter in the political landscape of Kashmir.
