Kulgam: In a highly anticipated assembly election, Kulgam district witnessed three notable victories across its constituencies, with M.Y. Tarigami, Sakina Itoo, and Peerzada Feroze Ahmad emerging as the winners. Each candidate secured a decisive win, cementing their political standing in their constituencies.
M.Y. Tarigami, the senior leader of the CPI(M), made history by winning the Kulgam constituency for the fifth consecutive time. Tarigami, a well-established political figure in the district, secured 33,390 votes, defeating his closest competitor, independent candidate Sayar Ahmad Reshi, by a margin of 7,697 votes. Despite predictions of a close contest, Tarigami’s strong grassroots support helped him maintain his hold over the constituency. His victory was marked by celebrations as he waved to supporters while parading through the streets atop a car, amidst firecrackers and slogans.
Sakina Itoo of the National Conference (NC) secured a commanding victory in the D H Pora constituency, leading by a substantial margin of 17,449 votes. Itoo garnered 36,623 votes, a reflection of her influence and long-standing connection with the voters in the region. Her win reinforces the strong presence of the NC in Kulgam district. Speaking to the media at the counting center, Itoo expressed her gratitude to the workers and voters who supported her campaign. Her decisive win ensures a continued NC stronghold in D H Pora.
In a closely fought battle, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad of the National Conference clinched his debut win from the Devsar constituency. Ahmad won by a margin of 840 votes, securing 18,230 votes against PDP’s Mohammad Sartaj Madni, who managed 17,390 votes. As a relative of veteran NC leader Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, Feroze Ahmad’s victory continues his family’s legacy in the constituency. His win was celebrated by NC supporters, marking a successful entry into electoral politics.