Khushi Bhuta, Pune
Over 2.5 million citizens will be exercising their franchise rights in the phase 2 polling in Jammu and Kashmir today, on 25th September 2024. The voting will take place across 26 constituencies, 11 of which are located in Jammu and 15 in Kashmir.
A key alliance in the election is the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) comprising J&K National Conference (JKNC), Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), and J&K National Panthers Party (India). Against the alliance are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and J&K People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP).
A total of 239 candidates are contesting in the phase, among which the highest number of contesting candidates are against Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with a total of 17 candidates in the Ganderbal constituency. Standing against him is JKPDP’s Bashir Ahmed Mir. The Former CM is also contesting from the Budgam constituency, where he will face off against 7 other candidates including JKPDP’s Aga Syed Munatzir Mehdi. It is extremely essential for the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference that the leader wins a seat this election after losing the Baramulla seat to Awami Ittihad Party (AIP)’s Sheikh Abdul Rashid during the 2024 Lok Sabha Election.
Another high-profile candidate contesting is Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, contesting from the Central Shaltengh constituency. In a first, Altaf Bukhari, J&K Apni Party founder, is contesting from the Chanapora constituency. Contesting against him are JKNC’s Mushtaq Guroo, BJP’s Hilal Ahmad Wani and JKPDP’s Mohammad Iqbal Trumboo. In the Nowshera constituency, BJP’s state party president Ravinder Raina will be contesting against JKNC’s Surinder Chowdary and JKPDP’s Haq Nawaz.
Having left the PDP and recently joined the BJP, Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali will be contesting against his own nephew NC’s Javed Iqbal Chowdhary in the Budhal constituency. Also up against the uncle-nephew duo is PDP’s Guftar Ahmad.
This is the first Legislative Assembly Election in the Union Territory since its statehood and special status were revoked after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The first phase of the election was held on the 18th of September when 24 seats witnessed a 61% voter turnout. The third phase of the election is set to take place on the 1st of October.