BJP declares 16 names for J&K elections' first phase

Srinagar: BJP on Monday named 16 candidates for the first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled for September 18.

In the first phase, 16 constituencies in south Kashmir and eight in Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range of the Jammu division are going to the polls. BJP has, however, not fielded candidates in Tral, Pulwama, Zainapora, DH Pora, Kulgam, Devsar, Dooru and Pahalgam constituencies of south Kashmir.

"We have fielded eight candidates in Kashmir and eight in Jammu in the first phase. This is the final list for the first phase," said J&K BJP general secretary Ashok Koul.


The party had earlier circulated a list of 44 candidates for three phases of assembly elections in J&K, but later withdrew it and issued two fresh lists of 16 candidates for the first phase.

A section of BJP workers from Jammu protested non-inclusion of their candidates in the list that was later withdrawn by the party.

Some BJP leaders are not happy with the party's decision to field new candidates from several constituencies in the Jammu region, referring to them as "parachute candidates".

"There is no dissension within the party. A few party workers from one constituency were a little unhappy but there is no larger disgruntlement. We will release other lists soon," said Koul.

The party is facing anti-incumbency in the Jammu region and is staring at a resurgent Congress that has entered into a pre-poll seat-sharing arrangement with National Conference.