The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its list of star campaigners for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. These elections will take place in three phases: September 18, September 25, and October 1.
The prominent figures set to lead the campaign include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Other notable campaigners are Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, G Kishan Reddy, Jitendra Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Anurag Thakur, and Smriti Irani.
Earlier, the BJP released its initial list of 15 candidates for the elections, aiming to ensure representation from various communities and regions. The list includes candidates from both Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the region's diverse demographic.
The BJP has nominated Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi for Pampore, Arshid Bhat for Rajpora, Javed Ahmad Qadri for Shopian, Mohammad Rafiq Wani for Anantnag West, and Syed Wazahat for Anantnag. Veer Saraf will run for Shangus-Anantnag East. Additionally, Sofi Yousuf is the candidate for Srigufwara-Bijbehara, Tariq Keen for Inderwal, and Salim Bhat for Banihal. Shagun Parihar, the sole woman candidate, will contest from Kishtwar.
Other candidates include Sunil Sharma for Padder-Nagseni, Daleep Singh Parihar for Bhadarwah, Gajay Singh Rana for Doda, Shakti Raj Parihar for Doda West, and Rakesh Thakur for Ramban. Choudhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar is set to contest from Kokernag.
The Election Commission has issued the notification for the first phase of elections, covering 24 seats. This will be the first assembly election since the abrogation of Article 370. The BJP previously demonstrated strong support in Jammu during the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, winning both seats in the region. The National Conference also secured two seats. Election results will be announced on October 4.
BJP Unveils First List of Candidates for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections
Haryana CM Inaugurates BJP Election Office in Rohtak, Confident of Third Consecutive Term
Omar Abdullah Accuses PDP of Copying NC Manifesto, Urges Party Not to Contest Against Alliance