239 Candidates Compete in Second Phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections

The second phase of the three-phase Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will witness 239 candidates contesting from 26 constituencies. Nomination withdrawals have reduced the initial list of 309 aspirants. Major contenders include Omar Abdullah and Tariq Hamid Karra. Elections will be held on September 18, 25, and October 1, with results declared on October 8.

In the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, a total of 239 candidates are competing across 26 constituencies. The reduction follows the withdrawal of 27 nominations, which left a trimmed list of aspirants who will face the polls on September 18, 25, and October 1.

Prominent figures in this phase include National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, contesting from two seats, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hamid Karra, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, and jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay. These high-profile candidates are distributed among constituencies in central Kashmir districts of Budgam, Srinagar, and Ganderbal, as well as Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region.

The chief electoral officer of J&K reported that 27 candidates withdrew their nominations, resulting in 93 candidates contesting in Srinagar, 46 in Budgam, 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, 21 in Ganderbal, and 20 in Reasi. Notably, Ganderbal, where Omar Abdullah is running, has six and 15 candidates respectively in the Kangan (ST) and Ganderbal assembly constituencies.

(With inputs from agencies.)