Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections 2024: BJP releases first list of 44 candidates | Check full list
The 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are set to be a significant event in the region's political landscape. Scheduled in three phases—on September 18, September 25, and October 1—these elections will determine the representatives for the 90-member Legislative Assembly. The outcomes of these elections will not only shape the political scenario of the region but also influence the broader narrative of governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP's Candidate Announcement
On August 26, 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released its first list of 44 candidates, reflecting its strategic approach to these crucial elections. The announcement followed a high-level meeting of the BJP Central Election Committee (CEC) held on August 25, chaired by BJP President JP Nadda and attended by prominent leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Candidates and Phases
The BJP has meticulously selected candidates across the three phases:
Phase 1 (September 18):
Key candidates include Arshid Bhat from Rajpora, Javed Ahmad Qadri from Shopian, and Mohd. Rafiq Wani from Anantnag West. Sofi Yousuf has been fielded from Srigufwara-Bijbehara, reflecting the party’s focus on securing pivotal constituencies in the Kashmir Valley.
Phase 2 (September 25):
Notable names include Rohit Dubey from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar. The BJP's strategy in this phase appears to target regions with significant religious and cultural significance, aligning with its broader ideological narratives.
Phase 3 (October 1):
The third phase includes candidates like Pawan Gupta from Udhampur West and Dr. Devinder Kumar Maniyal from Ramgarh. This phase is critical as it covers constituencies in the Jammu region, where the BJP has traditionally had a stronger base.
Political Significance
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are the first since the region's special status was revoked under Article 370 in 2019. These elections, therefore, are more than just a routine political exercise; they are seen as a referendum on the BJP's policies in the region, especially its push for development and integration into the national mainstream.
### Conclusion
As the election dates approach, all eyes will be on the strategies employed by various political parties, particularly the BJP, which has made significant inroads in the region over the past few years. The results of these elections will not only determine the future governance of Jammu and Kashmir but also set the tone for the region's long-term political stability and development.
The upcoming elections are crucial for both the political parties involved and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who will be voting to shape their future amidst a backdrop of significant political change.
Detailed List of BJP Candidates
Phase 1 (September 18):
- Pampore: Er. Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi
- Rajpora: Shri Arshid Bhat
- Shopian: Shri Javed Ahmad Qadri
- Anantnag West: Mohd. Rafiq Wani
- Anantnag: Adv. Syed Wazahat
- Srigufwara-Bijbehara: Shri Sofi Yousuf
- Shangus–Anantnag East: Shri Veer Saraf
- Inderwal: Shri Tariq Keen
- Kishtwar: Sushri Shagun Parihar
- Padder–Nagseni: Shri Sunil Sharma
- Bhadarwah: Shri Daleep Singh Parihar
- Doda: Shri Gajay Singh Rana
- Doda West: Shri Shakti Raj Parihar
- Ramban: Shri Rakesh Thakur
- Banihal: Shri Salim Bhat
Phase 2 (September 25):
- Habbakadal: Shri Ashok Bhat
- Gulabgarh (ST): Mohammad Akram Chaudhary
- Reasi: Shri Kuldeep Raj Dubey
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi: Shri Rohit Dubey
- Kalakote-Sunderbani: Thakur Randhir Singh
- Budhal (ST): Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali
- Thannamandi (ST): Mohd. Iqbal Malik
- Surankote (ST): Shri Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari
- Poonch Haveli: Chowdhary Abdul Ghani
- Mendhar (ST): Shri Murtaza Khan
Phase 3 (October 1):
- Udhampur West: Shri Pawan Gupta
- Chenani: Shri Balwant Singh Mankotia
- Ramnagar (SC): Shri Sunil Bhardwaj
- Bani: Shri Jeevan Lal
- Billawar: Shri Satish Sharma
- Basohli: Shri Darshan Singh
- Jasrota: Shri Rajiv Jasrotia
- Hiranagar: Adv. Vijay Kumar Sharma
- Ramgarh (SC): Dr. Devinder Kumar Maniyal
- Samba: Shri Surjit Singh Slathia
- Vijaypur: Shri Chandra Prakash Ganga
- Suchetgarh (SC): Shri Gharu Ram Bhagat
- R.S. Pura–Jammu South: Dr. Narinder Singh Raina
- Jammu East: Shri Yudhvir Sethi
- Nagrota: Dr. Devinder Singh Rana
- Jammu West: Shri Arvind Gupta
- Jammu North: Shri Sham Lal Sharma
- Akhnoor (SC): Shri Mohan Lal Bhagat
- Chhamb: Shri Rajeev Sharma