New Delhi/Jammu, 01-09-2024: The Congress party is poised to release its list of candidates for the second and third phases of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections following a crucial Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow. The meeting, to be chaired by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and attended by senior leaders like Rahul Gandhi, will finalize the candidates for each constituency. The list is expected to be announced by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal later in the evening.
Today’s meeting of the Congress Screening Committee, led by Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, also discussed potential new candidates and those recommended by the State Election Committee. Notable discussions focused on the candidacies of Dr. Manohar Lal from Billawar, Th. Balbir Singh from Jasrota, Rakesh Choudhary from Hiranagar, and others. The party is also contemplating fielding former MP Ch. Lal Singh from Basohli, where he has already been actively campaigning.
In addition to the candidate selection, the CEC will decide on the candidacy of former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who is considering running from Chhamb (Khour) instead of Akhnoor. Sources indicate that Satish Sharma, son of former Congress MP Madan Lal Sharma, is a leading contender for the Chhamb seat, with BJP’s Rajiv Sharma also in the race despite facing internal opposition.
The party is also likely to field Namrata Sharma, JKPCC General Secretary, from the Gandhi Nagar-Bahu Assembly seat, and is considering a woman candidate for the Bani constituency in Kathua district.
Meanwhile, the Congress has released its list of 40 star campaigners for the Jammu and Kashmir elections, featuring prominent leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several others. AICC General Secretary Bharatsinh Solanki, who is in charge of Jammu and Kashmir, will arrive in Jammu on Monday to hold crucial meetings and oversee the party’s campaign strategy. The release of the candidate list for the second phase is anticipated soon thereafter.