A Kashmiri Pandit not living in the valley for the past 30 years has been elected as Sarpanch of south Kashmir’s Zainpora area of Shopian district.

Chaman Lal Madan an independent candidate who had outside support of PDP got 231 out of 400 votes and defeated B A Mallah in the native village of PDP leader Aijaz Ahmad Mir.

Talking over the phone, Lal said that he was thankful to those who voted for him, “I congratulate all those mothers and sisters and brothers who voted for me. I am thankful to all those who kept alive the flag of secularism,” Lal said.

Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti termed the victory as “eye-opener for rest of India”, “PDPs Chaman Lal, a Kashmiri pandit who was away from Valley since the last 30 years was elected as a sarpanch today. This is true Kashmiriyat. Hope this is an eye opener for rest of India where laws like CAA & anti conversion bills are brought to punish muslims.”TKW