BJP to contest 19 out of 47 seats in Kmr; no candidate from Baramulla
TNN Bureau. Updated: 9/12/2024 1:06:11 AM
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SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday confirmed its decision to contest 19 out of 47 seats in the Kashmir region during the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
The elections, which will be held in three phases, are scheduled to commence on September 18, followed by the second phase on September 25, and the final phase on October 1. The results of the elections are expected to be declared on October 8.
Sources within the party revealed that a high-level meeting, attended by senior BJP leaders, was convened to finalize the party’s strategy for the elections. During this meeting, it was decided that the BJP would field candidates in 19 constituencies across Kashmir, a significant move as the party attempts to expand its influence in the region.
Among the key candidates announced are Er. Syed ShowkatGayoor Andrabi for the Pampore seat, Arshid Bhat in Rajpora, Javaid Ahmad Qureshi for Shopian, Mohd Rafiq Wani in Anantnag West, Adv. Syed Wazahat for Anantnag, and Sofi Yousuf for the Srigufwara-Bijbehara seat. Other notable candidates include Veer Saraf in Shangus-Anantnag East, Choudhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar for Kokernag (ST), and Ashok Bhat for the Habakadal constituency.
Additional candidates include Mohd Idrees Karnahi from Karnah, Ghulam Mohammad Mir for Handwara, Abdul Rashid Khan in Sonawari, and Naseer Ahmad Lone for Bandipora. Faqir Mohammad Khan will contest from Gurez, while Er Aijaz Hussain is fielded for the Lal Chowk constituency, Arif Raja for Eidgah, Dr. Ali Mohammad Mir in Khansahib, and Zahid Hussain for Chara-i-Sharif.
However, sources indicate that some BJP leaders in Kashmir are reportedly dissatisfied with the decision to limit the party’s contest to just 19 seats. Many believe that the BJP should have contested on all available seats in the Kashmir Valley to maximize its chances. Political analysts speculate that the BJP may choose to support independent candidates following the election results in a bid to form a larger coalition.
This development marks a crucial moment for the BJP as it continues its efforts to make inroads in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape.