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_*End of an Era: Mohammad Akbar Lone's 52-Year Political Journey Concludes*_

Bids Adieu to Politics

Hajin: After 18 years as an MLA in Sonawari and six years as an MP for the North Kashmir constituency, Mohammad Akbar Lone's tenure finally came to an end on June 5. This marks the conclusion of a 52-year-long political career that began in 1972. He first contested an assembly election in 1983 on a People's Conference ticket, which he lost to the National Conference candidate.

After that, he joined the National Conference, and the party gave him the mandate from Sonawari in the 1996 elections, which he again lost, this time to the late Mohammad Yousuf Parray, also known as Kuka Parray. In the 2002 assembly elections, he defeated the former MLA of Sonawari, the late Mohammad Yousuf Parray.

Throughout his career, Lone held several significant positions, including Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Higher Education Minister, and Deputy Speaker. His close aide told this reporter that he wouldn't take part in active politics anymore in the future due to health reasons. "His health condition does not permit him to engage in full-scale political activity now as doctors have advised Lone Sahab to take complete rest," he said.

With his departure, his son Hilal Akbar Lone is expected to take up the mantle and contest in the upcoming assembly elections from Sonawari.

It remains to be seen whether Hilal Akbar Lone will continue his father's legacy in this stronghold. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, the National Conference (NC) managed to maintain a lead in Sonawari against opponents Imtiyaz Parray and Yasir Reshi.

Time will reveal who will ultimately prevail in this political landscape. For now, the distinguished tenure of Mohammad Akbar Lone has come to an end.