Lagatar24 Desk
SRINAGAR: The counting of votes for the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election will take place on Tuesday, marking the final stage before the Union Territory witnesses its first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The key stakeholders in this fiercely contested election include the Congress-National Conference (NC) alliance, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). With exit polls indicating a lead for the NC-Congress alliance, several high-stakes contests will unfold as the votes are tallied.
Key Contests to Watch:
- Ganderbal:
A National Conference stronghold, Ganderbal falls under the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is contesting from this seat, which has previously elected Sheikh Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah. His main rival is Sarjan Barkati, a jailed separatist leader. - Srigufwara – Bijbehara:
A segment under the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, this seat has previously been represented by PDP founder Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti. Now, Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba’s daughter, is contesting, facing Bashir Veeri of the NC and Sofi Yousuf from the BJP. - Nowshera:
BJP state president Ravinder Raina is defending his seat here. Raina won Nowshera in 2014 and is up against Surinder Choudhary of the NC, whom he defeated in the last assembly polls by over 95,000 votes. - Pulwama:
Waheed ur Rahman Parra, the PDP’s youth wing president, is contesting from this important constituency. He was previously arrested for alleged links to the Hizbul Mujahideen but was released in 2022. - Central Shalteng:
J&K Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra is contesting from here. He faces Irfan Ahmad Shah, an independent candidate and former NC member. - Kupwara:
Sajad Lone, chief of the People’s Conference, is contesting against NC’s Choudhary Ramzan, who held the seat in 2008.
Other Key Constituencies to Watch:
- Budgam
- Dooru
- Kulgam
- Zadibal
- Handwara
- Pattan
- Surankot
- Nagrota
- RS Pura (Jammu)
- Kishtwar
- Banihal
- Sopore
- Padder-Nagseni
As counting begins, the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is poised for a potential shift, with parties eyeing the chance to form the first elected government in the Union Territory post-2019.
