Jailed cleric Sarjan Barkati files nomination from two seats

Jailed cleric and pro-separatist Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, alias Sarjan Barkati, whose nomination was rejected by the election authorities in South Kashmir, on Thursday filed his nomination from two seats of Central Kashmir.

The election authorities in Shopian last week rejected the nomination of Barkati, after his family filed papers to contest the elections from Kashmir’s Zainapora seat. Officials said he failed to produce “oath certificate” and other documents in the specified time.

On Thursday, Barkati’s family said they filed the papers from Beerwah seat of Central Kashmir and hoped the nomination would be accepted. “We filed his nomination from Beerwah constituency today,” Barkati’s brother Mohammad Shafi Wagay said.

Additionally, Barkati filed his nomination in Ganderbal district as well. If Barkati’s nomination is accepted, he would be up against former chief minister and NC vice-president Omar Abdullah, who is contesting from Ganderbal seat.