Where was the big fight in the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections and in which seats did women candidates dominate?

The first phase of the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will be a high-stakes battle. This is the first election after the abrogation of Article 370 and the revocation of statehood in 2019. The election sets the stage for a politically tight contest due to a large number of candidate withdrawals and a gender gap in key constituencies.

Gender Imbalance: There were 219 candidates in the first phase, of which only nine were women. The 96% male-dominated race reflects the inequality of political representation.

High dropout rate: Many candidates withdrew their names from key constituencies like Doda, Bhadwa and Anantnagsi. As many as seven candidates were out of the contest in Doda.

Massive political contests: Key contests will shape the political landscape, including a “friendly” contest between the Congress and the Nationalist Congress, where 42% of the candidates are independents.

Friendly competition is important in politics

Of the 219 candidates, 42% are independents, while in terms of gender, 96% are men and only 4% are women. In this contest, the Congress and the National Conference are also playing out a “friendly” contest in key constituencies.

Gender gaps and party competition in the region highlight ongoing challenges in gender representation and political alliances.

• In the first phase, 42% of the candidates were independents.
• 96% of the candidates are men, while only 9 women are running.

A look at party representation, gender gap and seats

Party Representation: The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party has 21 candidates (10%), while the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference is contesting 18 seats (8%). The BJP is contesting 16 seats (7%) and the Congress has 9 candidates (4%). In terms of numbers, independent candidates dominate this race.

Gender gap: Of the 219 candidates, only nine are women, reflecting a gender imbalance in which men overwhelmingly dominate the electoral field.

Seats with maximum number of candidates: Panpur assembly seat has 14 candidates, followed by Shangas and Anantnag with 13 candidates each, who are trying their political luck.

Also read: BJP, Congress and PDP… Which party made which promises in its manifesto in Jammu and Kashmir? Read a comparison of all four together

Important matches in the first stage

In the first phase of the assembly elections, there is a fierce contest between prominent politicians in key seats. In Panpur, Hasnan Masoodi of the National Conference will take on Zahoor Ahmed Mir of the People’s Democratic Party, who won in 2008 and 2014. The former MP from Anantnag is trying to defeat Masoodi Mir.

In the Tral assembly, Rafiq Ahmed Naik of the PDP is contesting against Surinder Singh of the Congress. The seat has been held by Mushtaq Ahmed Shah of the PDP since 2008. Pulwama will see a dramatic contest with Waheed ur-Rahman Para of the PDP (recently released from jail) taking on Mohammad Khalil Bande, who had won the PDP seat in 2008 and 2014 but is now contesting the elections under the National Congress banner.

In Kulgam, senior Communist Party of India (CPI-M) candidate Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami is contesting against independent candidate Sayar Ahmed Reshi, who is backed by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Apart from this, in Dhru, Mohammad Ashraf Malik of the People’s Democratic Party will challenge strong leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir of the Congress Party. The area has long been considered a Congress stronghold. In Bijbehara, a key constituency in Anantnag, it is a three-way contest between Iltija Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party, Sofi Yusuf of the BJP and Bashir Ahmed Veeri of the National Congress Alliance.

Also read: Samajwadi Party releases list for Jammu and Kashmir elections, announces names of 20 candidates

Friendly competition between the Congress and the National Congress

As part of the Indian camp, the Congress and the National Conference are fighting a friendly contest in four constituencies. In Banihal, both Vikar Rasool Wani (Congress) and Sajjad Shaheen (National Conference) are contesting. In Badwah, Sheikh Mehboo Iqbal of the NC and Nadeem Sharif of the Congress are locked in a political fight. Pirzada Firoz Ahmed (NC) and Aman Ullah Mantu (Congress) are contesting in Devsar. Sheikh Riaz Ahmed (Congress) and Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy (NC) are contesting in Doda.

In the 2014 elections, the Congress won Deosar and Banihal seats, while the BJP won Doda and Bhaderwah seats. In 2008, the Congress won all seats except Devsar, which was won by the PDP.

The first step is important

The first phase will determine the entire election in Jammu and Kashmir. With more than 2.3 million voters, including 1.23 lakh youth voters (18-19 years old), in this phase alone, political parties are stepping up efforts to garner support.

PM Modi’s important speech at Doda rally

Addressing an election rally in Doda, Jammu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “What these three families together have done to the people of Jammu and Kashmir is nothing less than a crime.” He said the three families will oppose the ambitious youth of Jammu and Kashmir in this election.

Also read: Samajwadi Party releases list for Jammu and Kashmir elections, announces names of 20 candidates

The way forward

Voting will be held in Jammu and Kashmir on September 25 and October 1, with results to be announced on October 8. Thirteen major political parties are vying for a majority in the 90-seat assembly. The main players are the People’s Democratic Party, led by Mehbooba Mufti, and the National Conference, led by Omar Abdullah. Both Mufti and Omar have served as chief ministers. The National Conference has also formed an alliance with India’s main opposition Congress party, while the BJP has a strong base in Jammu.

The political environment was tense in the first stage

Jammu and Kashmir has undergone important changes since 2018. With the abrogation of Article 370, its special status ended and it was divided into two union territories, which had a profound impact on the political landscape of the region. The demarcation reshaped the borders and changed the reservation policy for scheduled castes and tribes.

Also Read: Jammu and Kashmir election: Congress releases second list of candidates, hands election to Bhupinder Jamwal from Vaishno Devi.

The first phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir reflected a tense political environment, including candidate withdrawals, a gender gap and fierce competition between the region’s major political parties. Although the gender imbalance and regional politics still dominate, the increase in the number of voters could be a sign of democratic progress.