BJP Unveils first list of 44 candidates for Jammu and Kashmir assembly election

Srinagar August 25 2024 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)  has announced its initial roster of 44 candidates for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, marking the party’s first major step in the electoral race. The 90-member assembly elections will be held in three stages: September 18, September 25, and October 1. The results are expected to be declared on October 4.

The BJP’s candidate list includes 15 individuals for the first phase, 10 for the second, and 19 for the third phase. Notable candidates from this list are Er. Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi from Pampore and Mohd. Rafiq Wani from Anantnag West. Other prominent names include Kuldeep Raj Dubey for Reasi, Rohit Dubey for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Chowdhary Abdul Ghani for Poonch Haveli, Pawan Gupta for Udhampur West, Dr. Devinder Kumar Maniyal for Ramgarh (SC), and Mohan Lal Bhagat for Akhnoor. Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly comprises 90 constituencies, with 47 in Kashmir and 43 in the Jammu division. Of these, 74 seats are reserved for general candidates, nine for Scheduled Tribes, and seven for Scheduled Castes. The Union Territory has 87.09 lakh eligible voters, with a balanced gender ratio.

In a strategic move, the BJP has opted not to form any alliances for these elections. Instead, the party will support strong independent candidates in constituencies within the Kashmir Valley where it is not fielding its own candidates. This decision is in stark contrast to the National Conference (NC) and Congress, which have joined forces for the elections. According to NC President Farooq Abdullah, the two parties have agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement, with Congress contesting 12 seats in Kashmir Valley and NC securing 12 seats in the Jammu division.

This marks a significant development in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, as the results of these elections are anticipated to shape the region’s governance and political dynamics for the coming years.