Kupwara, Feb 08: Peoples Conference (PC) on Monday bagged the key position of chairperson of district development council (DDC)in the politically-significant Kupwara district after National Conference’s strategy to adjourn the polls failed.

Sources in different political parties said that NC was banking on support from DDC members of Awami Ittehad Party, Apni Party and an independent candidate to scuttle PC’s chances of winning the seat of DDC chairperson of Kupwara.

“NC was hopeful that AIP, Apni Party and an independent candidate would also remain absent from the election meeting convened by the authorities to elect chairperson/vice-chairperson of DDC Kupwara,” they said, adding that presence of nine members (2/3rd of total elected members) was required for holding the election. However, NC’s strategy to get the election adjourned failed after three non-NC and non- PC members turned up. While NC members remained absent, other three non-NC and non-PC members turned up, dashing hopes of NC. After the quorum was completed, PC’s Irfan Panditpori was elected unopposed as chairperson of DDC Kupwara.

His name was proposed by Muhammad Suliman(PC DDC member from Rajwar) and seconded by advocate Masrat Farooq(PC DDC member from Kralpora).

Panditpori is the son of veteran lawmaker Muhammad Sultan Panditpora.  He had joined PC in 2018.

PC-backed independent candidate Hajji Farooq was also unanimously elected as vice –chairperson of DDC Kupwara.

In the DDC elections held in November- December, PC emerged as the single largest party in the district by winning five out of six seats on which it contested. National Conference won four seats, followed by two seats by independents and one each seat by Apni Party and AIP—(KNO)