Srinagar, September 12: The sudden release of Awami Ittehad Party leader Engineer Rashid has created a stir in Kashmir's political landscape ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Jammu and Kashmir twice in September to campaign for BJP candidates, with rallies scheduled for September 14 and 19.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, during a rally in Anantnag, announced five guarantees for the Congress-NC alliance, including interest-free loans for women entrepreneurs, health insurance, and monthly stipends for women heads of families. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024: Congress Announces Names of 5 Candidates for Polls; Check List Here.

The elections mark a significant face-off between the established political order and newer parties. The National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to intensify their efforts, facing tough competition in a highly charged political environment. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Phase 1 Polling: From Voting Date to List of Constituencies Going to Polls and Key Candidate, Here’s All You Need To Know.

Here’s a list of key candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections 2024.

Omar Abdullah

National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah, who once vowed not to contest Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections until statehood is restored, has now filed nominations for two seats. On September 5, Abdullah submitted his candidacy for Budgam, following his earlier nomination for the family stronghold of Ganderbal a day prior. In the 2014 assembly elections of the then-state, Abdullah secured victory from the Beerwah seat, located adjacent to Budgam. Despite his previous stance, Abdullah is preparing for a strong electoral campaign in the upcoming polls.

Ravinder Raina

Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina, who is contesting for re-election from the Nowshera assembly constituency in Rajouri district, is facing tough competition from his former party colleague, Surinder Choudhary. Choudhary, a former MLC, is contesting the elections on a National Conference (NC) ticket with the backing of the Congress. In addition to Raina and Choudhary, there are three other candidates vying for the Nowshera seat, including those representing the PDP and the BSP.

Chaudhary Lal Singh

Congress has nominated Chaudhary Lal Singh as its candidate from Basohli in Kathua, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism. Singh had previously questioned the police investigation into the Kathua gang rape case, labeling the brutal crime a conspiracy against Hindus. A former MP and state minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government, Singh led a Tiranga rally in 2018 in support of the accused in the case. The party's decision to field him has raised eyebrows, given his controversial stance on the high-profile case.

Daisy Raina

For the first time in three decades, a woman Kashmiri Pandit will contest the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Daisy Raina, a former private company employee in Delhi and sarpanch of Frisal village in Pulwama, has been nominated by the Republican Party of India (Athawale), an ally of the BJP in the NDA alliance. Raina will contest from the Rajpora constituency in Pulwama, making her one of only nine women running in the J&K elections. She shared that she was motivated to enter the race by local youth who urged her to become their voice.

Jammu and Kashmir is set to hold its first election in nearly a decade and its first as a Union Territory since the revocation of its special status under Article 370 in 2019. Voting will take place across 90 seats in three phases, from September 18 to October 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2024 04:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).