DDC results: Independent candidates emerge kingmakers, win 18% seats

‘Various parties approaching us, decision in peoples hand who voted for us’

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Dec 25 (KNO): In a recently held District Development Council (DDC) polls, independent candidates have emerged as kingmakers as they managed to win 18 per cent of the total seats while registering a win on 50 seats in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir News Observer (KNO) talked with several independent elected Block Development Councillors (BDC) who said that they are being approached by various parties, however, any decision, whether to join any party or not, lies with the people who voted in their favour.

Peer Shahbaz, an independent winning candidate from Shahabad block of Anantnag district said that after bagging DDC seat various parties have been approaching him.

“I have received several calls from workers and leaders of different parties to join them. Whatever decision my voters will take, I will do the same,” he said.

Shahbaz was expelled from Congress before DDC election. He later contested the polls as an Independent candidate and defeated Naseer Ahmad Mir son of Congress chief G A Mir by 639 votes.

Another independent BDC Bilal Ahmad Deva from Vessu Qazigund also said that various parties have been approaching him, however, after consulting with his workers, he has decided not to join any party and serve people as an Independent candidate.

“I got votes for being an independent and my workers and voters are of the opinion that is should continue as an independent,” he said.

Abdul Rashid another BDC from Safapora Ganderbal also echoed the same voice and said that it is up to voters and workers and he can’t take any decision of his own to join any party.

“We have to work for the development which we can do very well as an independent. I am not desirous to join any party, however, my workers and voters have the ultimate right to take a decision in case they want me to join any party,” he said.

Notably, in the last two days, at least three independent DDCs two from Shopian and one from Srinagar have joined newly floated Altaf Bukhari led Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party—(KNO)