Uncertainty continues to surround the Congress party’s candidate list for key districts including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur.
These districts hold significant importance, with most seats expected to witness a direct contest between the Congress and the BJP.
The BJP has already named candidates for the majority of constituencies in these districts, Congress is yet to finalize its nominees.
The internal disagreements among senior Congress leaders are the main reason for the delay.
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 5: As the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued the notification for the third and final phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, uncertainty continues to surround the Congress party’s candidate list for key districts including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur. These districts hold significant importance, with most seats expected to witness a direct contest between the Congress and the ruling BJP.
While the BJP has already named candidates for the majority of constituencies in these districts, Congress is yet to finalize its nominees due to internal disagreements among senior leaders. Out of 24 Assembly seats in Jammu province Third Phase Notification
Meanwhile, the ECI today officially issued the notification for the third phase of the J&K Assembly elections. A total of 40 constituencies in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, and Jammu will head to the polls on October 1 for the final phase of voting.
A total 40 Assembly Constituencies in the districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, and Jammu shall go to polls in the third and final phase of elections on October 1.
In Kashmir Division 16 Assembly Constituencies comprising Karnah, Trehgam, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Sopore, Rafiabad, Uri, Baramulla, Gulmarg, Wagoora –Kreeri, Pattan, Sonawari, Bandipora, Gurez (ST).
In the Jammu division 24 Assembly Constituencies comprising Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani, Ramnagar(SC), Bani, Billawar, Basohli, Jasrota, Kathua(SC), Hiranagar, Ramgarh(SC), Samba,
Vijaypur, Bishnah(SC), Suchetgarh(SC), R.S.Pura–Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC), Chhamb.
As per the Notification, the last date for filing nominations is September 12, 2024 (Thursday). Scrutiny of the nomination papers shall take place on September 13, 2024 (Friday) and the last date of withdrawal of candidature is September 17, 2024 (Tuesday).
The polling day for these Assembly constituencies is scheduled for October 01, 2024, (Tuesday) and the polling will be conducted from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM, the notification reads.
In contrast, the Congress has only named 15 candidates for the first two phases of the election and must still finalize 22 for the crucial final phase. The party will be contesting 32 seats in alliance with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) bloc partners, and it will engage in "friendly contests" with the National Conference in five constituencies.
Despite the BJP’s swift candidate announcements, Congress has delayed the release of its list for the third phase. Party insiders attribute the delay to internal concerns, as leaders fear potential backlash from within, reminiscent of recent challenges faced by the BJP.
Many Congress ticket hopefuls have reportedly traveled to New Delhi, lobbying for nominations with the party leadership. Although there were plans to release the final list on September 4, no official reason has been given for the continued delay.
In the BJP camp, the party’s Parliamentary Board is still deliberating over its nominees for the four remaining seats, two of which—Marh and Bishnah—are reserved for Scheduled Castes. |
