Gupkar wins chairperson posts in 2 Valley districts

NC’s Nuzhat Ishfaq wins from Ganderbal while PDP’s Bari Andrabi gets elected from Pulwama

SRINAGAR: The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) on Wednesday won chairman and deputy chairman posts in District Development Council (DDC) polls in south Kashmir’s Pulwama and central Kashmir’s Ganderbal districts.

The polling was held on Wednesday at both the places. Now, the PAGD controls three DDCs in Kashmir, while Apni Party has already won two councils Shopian and Srinagar, Peoples Conference has won Kupwara DDC seat and independents wrested the top two posts in Budgam district.

In Ganderbal district, NC candidate Nuzhat Ishfaq was elected as the chairperson, while Bilal Ahmad Sheikh of PDP was elected as the vicechairperson of the DDC.

In Pulwama, PDP candidate Bari Andrabi got elected as chairman, while NC candidate Mukhtar Ahmad Bandh was chosen his deputy.

“Congratulations to DDC members of Pulwama & Ganderbal for showing exemplary character & courage. They stood by PAGD despite unimaginable and threats,” tweeted Mehbooba Mufti.

Earlier, the NC had termed the polls of chairperson a mockery of the system in Shopian and Srinagar.

“Shopian DDC election, even Srinagar for that matter, aren’t really a surprise. These people have been buying and selling elected representatives since 1984. Practice makes perfect!,” tweeted NC vice-president Omar Abdullah soon after the results were declared.

Meanwhile, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar termed Apni Party ‘Kings’ party’ supported by the Centre.

“King’s party which won only two DDC seats in Shopian district, engineered defections post elections and are now heading the DDC Council there. Similarly in Srinagar, the party won just 3 seats and managed to take control of the district. Is ko bolte hai democracy is aisi ki taisi,” Dar tweeted.

However, Apni Party spokesman Altaf Bukhari said that DDC members are joining them as they trust them more than other parties.

BILAL AHMAD SHEIKH, MUKHTAR AHMAD BANDHWAS WERE ELECTED DEPUTY CHAIRMEN IN THE TWO DDCS