Srinagar, Nov 09 (KNO): The ruling National Conference (NC) is seriously considering fielding senior party leader Salman Sagar as its candidate for the by-election to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, sources disclosed.
Sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the party leadership is considering nominating Salman, who is currently serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Hazratbal constituency, as its candidate for the Srinagar parliamentary seat.
"A final decision is yet to be taken, but Sagar has emerged as the frontrunner for the prestigious parliamentary seat," the sources said.
Known for his organisational skills, Salman enjoys significant support in parts of Srinagar. His family has a long-standing association with National Conference.
Salman,a former Mayor of Srinagar, won the 2024 Assembly election from the Hazratbal segment by defeating PDP's Asiea Naqash by a margin of 10295 votes. While Salman secured 18890 votes, Asiea polled 8595 votes.
The by-election to the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat has been necessitated by the resignation of Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on November 3, 2026.
The by-poll for the constituency will be held before May 2, 2027, as the Representation of the People Act, 1951, mandates that a casual vacancy in the Lok Sabha or a State Legislature shall be filled within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy—(KNO)