Onlykashmir News Desk
In a significant political shift, Iltija Mufti, the star campaigner for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, has suffered defeat in the Srigufwara–Bijbehara constituency. Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) secured 33,127 votes, while Iltija garnered only 23,349 votes. BJP’s Sofi Yousuf, a former MLA, received 3,699 votes, with NOTA (None of the Above) accounting for 1,530 votes.
Iltija, who famously coined the chant “Zyeun ho, Zyeun ho; PDP zoon ho,” initially energized crowds and stirred enthusiasm among supporters. However, as the election progressed, this catchy slogan became a source of ridicule among critics and was eventually adopted by rival parties. This unexpected turn reflects the evolving dynamics of the political landscape in the region.
This defeat marks a significant milestone, as Bijbehara has been closely associated with the Mufti family for nearly three decades. The constituency, which had only three candidates in the fray during the first phase of the J&K Assembly Election 2024, stands in stark contrast to the robust competition of previous elections.
Notably, Iltija’s mother, Mehbooba Mufti, announced she would not contest this election, expressing doubts about her party’s ability to uphold its agenda under the current union territory setup. The shift in Bijbehara signifies a potential reconfiguration of political alliances and voter sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir as the region navigates its complex political landscape.
This result is not just a personal defeat for Iltija Mufti but a pivotal moment for the PDP, which has faced growing challenges in maintaining its influence in Jammu and Kashmir.
The seat was seen as a “family bastion” for the Muftis. The party’s founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed first won here in 1967 as a Congress candidate, and his daughter Mehbooba claimed victory there in 1996. The family has deep roots in the area, with Iltija’s father Javid Shah also hailing from the area.
Last time Abdul Rehman Veeri from the PDP ticket represented the seat from 1999 to June 2018 until the coalition government was ended by the Bhartiya Janata Party and Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party in the erstwhile state.
Iltija, a political science graduate from Delhi University and holder of a master’s degree in international relations from Warwick University in England, entered active politics following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Meanwhile, in an online post, Iltija Mufti said she accepted the people’s verdict and thanked her party’s workers for campaigning for her.
