By IANS,
Srinagar : Shabnum Gani Lone, daughter of slain separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone, has decided to contest the state assembly election from north Kashmir’s Kupwara constituency, an official said.
“Shabnum Gani Lone, an advocate by profession, has taken nomination papers from Kupwara constituency Wednesday as an Independent candidate. (But) She has not so far filed her papers,” a poll official said here.
Abdul Gani Lone had won the elections from north Kashmir’s Karnah constituency in 1983 when Kupwara had not been carved out as a separate constituency and most of its voting areas fell under Karnah.
Lone’s People’s Conference has strong pockets of influence in Kupwara, the home district of the slain separatist leader.
“Shabnum Lone has a fair chance from Kupwara,” said Farooq Ahmad Bandey, a resident of Kupwara district.
Jammu and Kashmir, which is under governor’s rule, will vote in seven-phased polls to elect a new 87-member assembly. The first phase takes place Nov 17. The final round will be held Dec 24 and votes will be counted Dec 28.