Jammu: As the withdrawal deadline for candidacy concluded today, the political landscape for the second phase of Jammu division’s assembly elections has crystallized with intriguing contests across 11 constituencies in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts. With 12 candidates bowing out, including prominent figures, the stage is set for a high-stakes electoral battle on September 25.
Rajouri District: A Hotbed of Political Rivalries
In Rajouri, the high-profile contest has become more competitive following the withdrawal of BJP rebel and former MP Choudhary Talib Hussain, and retired Judge Zubair Ahmed Raza. The race now features BJP General Secretary Vibodh Gupta, Congress’s Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mian Mahfooz, a notable spiritual leader. The contest, though primarily between Gupta and Ahmed, remains open with additional candidates in the fray.
In the Nowshera segment, a rematch from 2014 will see former BJP UT Chief Ravinder Raina facing off against Surinder Choudhary of the National Conference (NC). Choudhary, who had previously contested as a PDP candidate, has switched affiliations. BSP’s Manohar Singh also adds to the dynamics, wielding influence in select areas. Raina’s previous victory margin was 10,000 votes, with Congress’s Ravinder Sharma securing over 5,300 votes. According to the NC-Congress seat-sharing pact, NC is contesting Nowshera this time.
Further, Rajouri is witnessing competitive battles with the NC and Congress having agreed on their seat-sharing arrangements. The Congress is contesting in Rajouri and Thannamandi, while NC is focusing on Sunderbani-Kalakote, Nowshera, and Budhal constituencies.
Poonch District: Family Feuds and Political Shifts
In Poonch, notable developments include the withdrawal of BJP rebel Suhail Malik, leaving the field to Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari of BJP, Shahnawaz Choudhary of Congress, and others. Notably, Choudhary Akram, a former Congress MLA who joined NC, is now contesting as an Independent candidate.
The Poonch-Haveli constituency has Shah Mohammad Tantray of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party competing against NC’s Aijaz Jan, BJP’s Choudhary Abdul Gani, PDP’s Shamim Ganai, and Independent Udesh Paul Sharma.
In Mendhar, a triangular contest is anticipated among NC’s Javed Rana, BJP’s Murtaza Khan, and PDP’s Nadeem Khan.
Reasi District: Key Contenders Emerge
The newly created Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency will see a triangular battle between BJP’s Baldev Sharma, Independent Jugal Kishore Sharma, and Congress’s Bhupinder Jamwal. Baldev won the Reasi seat in 2008, while Jugal, a former Minister, is making a comeback as an Independent after being denied a DPAP mandate.
In the Reasi constituency, BJP’s Kuldeep Raj Dubey faces Congress’s Mumtaz Khan, who previously served as MLA from Gulabgarh. In Gulabgarh, former Minister Aijaz Khan is running as an Independent, competing against NC’s Engineer Khursheed and BJP’s Akram Khan.
Overall Election Landscape
Post withdrawal, a total of 79 candidates remain in the fray for the second phase of elections across three districts: 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, and 20 in Reasi. The withdrawals include 12 candidates—five each from Rajouri and Poonch, and two from Reasi—shaping a dynamic and competitive electoral environment.
