NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to release its first list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on Sunday, August 25, 2024. The announcement will follow a Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting at the BJP headquarters in Delhi, chaired by National President JP Nadda and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other CEC members.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, also the BJP in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, informed The Sunday Guardian that the party is prepared for the elections and will announce the first list of candidates post-CEC meeting. He emphasised that, unlike Congress, which has allied with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), the BJP will contest independently and has no plans for a post-poll alliance. The BJP is confident in winning and forming the government solo.
Reddy criticised the Congress for its alliance with the NC, alleging that both parties intend to remove reservations for Dalits, Gujjars, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) if they win. He challenged Rahul Gandhi and the Congress on their stance regarding the NC’s manifesto, accusing them of betraying Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution. Reddy also questioned the NC’s proposal to trade with Pakistan, raising concerns about sectarian division in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister of Coal and Mines stressed that Congress and the NC should prioritise Jammu and Kashmir’s interests over caste and religion. He highlighted that the removal of Articles 370 and 35A has led to rapid development through the implementation of 890 central laws and asserted that any attempt to reverse this progress will not be tolerated.
Earlier this week, the NC released its manifesto, advocating for India-Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir, laws to protect jobs and land, the release of political prisoners, and reviewing terminations of employees over the past five years. The manifesto also promises various freebies, including gas, electricity, healthcare, and food. NC Vice President Omar Abdullah vowed to continue advocating for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.
The last assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir was in 2014. With the Election Commission of India announcing the upcoming elections, scheduled in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, 2024, the BJP has started preparations. Nomination deadlines are August 27 for the first phase, September 5 for the second phase, and September 12 for the third phase, with results to be announced on October 4.
The first phase on September 18 will cover 24 assembly seats, including Pampore, Tral, Pulwama, Rajpora, Zainapora, Shopian, D H Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru, Kokernag (ST), Anantnag West, Anantnag, Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Shangus-Anantnag East, Pahalgam, Inderwal, Kishtwar, Padder-Nagseni, Bhadarwah, Doda, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal. In total, 90 assembly constituencies will be contested in Jammu and Kashmir.