LEEPA VALLEY (Kashmir English): Political activity in Leepa Valley has intensified ahead of the general election 2026, with residents openly expressing their political preferences and opinions during discussions featured on Kashmir Digital’s program hosted by Saad Zulfiqar Khan.
According to residents, the constituency has witnessed significant political shifts since the previous elections.
In the past, Diwan Ali Chughtai enjoyed considerable public support, while former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider secured around 15,500 votes in the area.
Political observers noted that Raja Farooq Haider later brought Chaudhry Rashid into the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), creating a direct political challenge for Diwan Ali Chughtai.
Residents also pointed out that Raja Farooq Haider was among the major opponents of Deewan Ali Chughtai’s potential inclusion in the PML-N.
Deewan Ali Chughtai was previously elected on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ticket but later parted ways with the party and joined the political group led by Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq. He subsequently became part of the government and currently serves as Minister for Education.
Public opinions
During conversations with residents, many participants expressed support for Deewan Ali Chughtai, while others voiced backing for PML-N candidate Chaudhry Rasheed.
At the same time, several citizens expressed disappointment with mainstream political parties. Some respondents stated that if their expectations from existing political leaders remain unmet, they may choose not to cast their votes in the forthcoming elections.
Support was also observed for independent candidate Syed Basit Ali Bukhari. Residents backing his candidacy argued that traditional political leaders had repeatedly failed to address public concerns, while they viewed Bukhari as a young representative who better understands local issues and public needs.
Meanwhile, only limited support was observed for PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami among the participants interviewed.
Overall, public opinion reflected a competitive political environment, with support distributed among multiple candidates and a noticeable desire among voters for greater attention to local development and public welfare issues.
As election season approaches, Leepa Valley appears set for an active and closely watched political contest, with voters weighing both established political figures and emerging alternatives.
