Jammu, Sep 1: The Chenab Valley is set to become a political battleground as eight assembly segments—Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban—prepare for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The NC-Congress alliance is hoping to gain an edge following the withdrawal of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) candidates from four key constituencies. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are making aggressive efforts to secure their positions and checkmate their rivals in this crucial electoral contest.
With 219 candidates vying for seats across the region, including 64 from the Chenab Valley, the election promises to be highly competitive. Among the contenders are seven former ministers, four women, and 25 independents, showcasing the diverse array of political talent in the fray. The eight constituencies in the Chenab Valley include two newly created segments—Doda West and Padder-Nagseni—adding an extra layer of complexity to the electoral map.
In Bhaderwah, nine candidates are competing, while Doda and Inderwal each have nine contenders. Doda West and Ramban each see eight candidates, with seven in Kishtwar and Banihal, and six in Padder-Nagseni. The NC and Congress are engaged in ‘friendly contests’ in Banihal, Bhaderwah, and Doda, while a rebel NC leader is running as an independent in Inderwal. The BJP, facing challenges from rebel candidates in Ramban and Padder-Nagseni, is banking on the emotional appeal of Shagun Parihar, whose family members were victims of terrorism, to retain the Kishtwar seat.
Notable candidates include former PDP MLC Firdous Tak in Kishtwar, and BJP’s Sunil Sharma in Padder-Nagseni, who faces a formidable challenge from NC’s Pooja Thakur and others. In Banihal, former Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani is seeking a third consecutive term but faces tough competition from NC’s Sjjad Shaheen and PDP’s Imtiyaz Shan.
Inderwal is witnessing a multi-cornered contest, with former minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori running as an independent after being denied a ticket by DPAP. He faces competition from NC rebel Pyare Lal Sharma, Congress’s Sheikh Zafarullah, and BJP’s Tariq Hussain Keen. In Doda West, former BJP minister Shakti Raj Parihar is up against Congress’s Pardeep Kumar, PDP’s Tanveer Hussain, and DPAP’s Abdul Ghani.
Bhaderwah’s triangular contest includes former BJP MLA Daleep Singh Parihar, Congress leader Nadeem Sharief, and former IAS officer Sheikh Mehboob Iqbal of the National Conference. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have also fielded candidates, adding to the dynamic electoral landscape. Doda’s assembly segment features two former ministers—Khalid Najid Suharwardy (NC) and Abdul Majid Wani (DPAP)—facing off against BJP’s Shakti Parihar and other challengers.
Ramban’s constituency is also witnessing a keen contest among fresh faces, with BJP’s Rakesh Singh Thakur, NC’s Arjun Singh Raju, and a BJP rebel candidate, Suraj Singh Parihar, vying for votes. The BJP, which secured four seats in the last assembly elections, is now facing stiffer competition in a region that has seen the addition of two new constituencies following the 2022 delimitation exercise.
As the election draws closer, the region is bracing for intense political battles, with all parties vying for dominance in the crucial first phase of voting on September 18. The outcome will set the tone for the subsequent phases and could significantly impact the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.