Jammu&Kashmir Election: Iltija Mufti's Catchy Slogan Sparks Rivalry as Parties Copycat in the Race!
SRINAGAR: After a decade-long wait, political parties and their supporters in Kashmir are finally making their voices heard, creating a campaign atmosphere that is both fierce and partisan. Amidst this charged environment, a catchy slogan has emerged, capturing the hearts of many: "zyeun ho zyeun ho, albain zyeun ho." This chant echoed through a packed hall of supporters for National Conference candidate Hilal Akbar Lone, and was also shared by party leader Omar Abdullah in a social media post, serving as an homage to their rival, Iltija Mufti of the PDP, who originated and popularized the phrase.
In this context, "Albain" refers to the National Conference’s symbol, the plough. The PDP’s chant, "zoon ho zoon ho, PDP zoon ho," which Iltija has personally led, initially annoyed rivals and was mocked by critics. However, it has gained such popularity that even the opposition has started to adopt it. Clearly, its catchy nature made it impossible to ignore.
A week ago when I yelled ‘Zoon ho’ in Bijbehara I had no clue it would become this viral. For the initiated, Zeun is victory in Kashmiri while as Zoon means the moon. I’m glad the slogan charged up PDP workers who insist I yell it at least a dozen times while campaigning. I am… pic.twitter.com/tkBrhwCnjO
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) September 24, 2024
Iltija, relishing in her influence, remarked, "Imitation is the best form of flattery," while referring to the surge of NC supporters echoing her slogan, labeling them as "copycat monkeys." When the assembly elections began a few months ago, Iltija energized her team with this memorable slogan, which quickly resonated with the public.
With the help of social media and WhatsApp forwards, the slogan spread like a nursery rhyme among children, becoming a part of everyday conversation in Kashmir. It was amusing to see people casually humming it on the streets without any particular reason. When delivered passionately by Iltija, the slogan not only bolstered the presence of the PDP, which is often seen as struggling for survival, but also highlighted their vibrant campaign. "The PDP has fragmented, and we are at our weakest. Yet our campaign is more dynamic, to the point that others are emulating us," she stated confidently.
Zoon / Zyeun ho PDP Zyeun ho at Lolab today 💚 pic.twitter.com/dcI533Frez
— Iltija Mufti (@IltijaMufti_) September 26, 2024
The discussion surrounding the slogan sparked lively conversations on Kashmiri social media, where "zoon" means "moon," and "Zyeun" translates to "win." Iltija, having grown up in Delhi and abroad, faced ridicule for her limited grasp of the native language. However, she took it in stride, laughing off the mockery.
Poet Ayaz Nazki suggested that Iltija's pronunciation mistakes provided a convenient opportunity for the National Conference to undermine her, explaining why the opposition adopted the slogan. Meanwhile, Iltija adjusted her pronunciation, transitioning "zoo" to "zeu" to better capture the phonetics.
The energy at PDP rallies only intensified, with workers joyfully dancing and stomping the ground in anticipation of party candidates like Syed Aga Muntazir and functionary Waheed Parra during a recent reception in Sholipura, Budgam.
As the PDP faces competition from the National Conference, even in adopting its own slogans, the political battle has intensified, with citizens eagerly awaiting the results of an election that has been long delayed and keenly contested. Yet, Iltija has already delivered a "zyeun" that many cannot overlook.
