The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made significant changes to its candidate list for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections, sidelining several former ministers and senior leaders in the process. In the third list of candidates released on Tuesday, the party announced 29 candidates, making it clear that the political landscape within the BJP is evolving as they prepare for the elections.
Significant Changes in BJP’s Candidate List
Among the notable omissions are several experienced politicians who have previously held ministerial positions. The party has cut tickets for more than four former ministers, including Nirmal Singh, who was a Deputy Chief Minister and has been a key figure for the BJP in the region. Singh has historically contested from the Billawar seat, but this time, the party has nominated Satish Sharma in his place.
Ticket Cuts: A Shift in Strategy
BJP’s decision to cut tickets for influential leaders could signify a strategic shift aimed at rejuvenating the party’s image and connecting with the electorate more effectively. This includes the case of Ajay Nanda, a former minister from Reasi, whose candidacy has been replaced by Kuldeep Raj Dubey. Similarly, the party has opted for Thakur Randhir Singh over Abdul Gani Kohli for the Kalakot Sujudani seat.
More Senior Leaders Affected
The shakeup doesn’t stop there; former minister Bali Bhagat has also been denied a ticket. In his place, the party is fielding Shyam Lal Sharma from Jammu North. Additionally, Shyam Chaudhary, who had previously represented Sachitgarh, has also found himself out of the race as the seat is now reserved for Scheduled Castes. BJP has nominated Gharu Ram Bhagat for this constituency. Such decisions raise questions about the viability of long-standing leaders as the party looks towards a new electoral strategy.
Current Status of Candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir Elections
So far, BJP has announced candidates for 45 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The candidate announcements have come in three phases: the first list included 15 names, the second list had one name, and the recently released third list features 29 candidates. This marks a crucial step as the party prepares for the electoral battle.
| Seat | Former Candidate | New Candidate |
|---|---|---|
| Billawar | Nirmal Singh | Satish Sharma |
| Reasi | Ajay Nanda | Kuldeep Raj Dubey |
| Kalakot Sujudani | Abdul Gani Kohli | Thakur Randhir Singh |
| Jammu North | Bali Bhagat | Shyam Lal Sharma |
| Sachitgarh | Shyam Chaudhary | Gharu Ram Bhagat |
Naushera Seat Still in Contention
While the BJP has made significant strides in finalizing candidates, uncertainties remain, particularly regarding the Naushera seat. In the 2014 elections, this seat was held by the current state president, Ravinder Raina. Additionally, there is no candidate selected for Gandhinagar yet, leaving the political landscape in this area undefined as the elections approach.
As the elections draw nearer, the BJP’s strategic reshuffling may prove crucial in capturing the attention of voters and determining the party’s success in Jammu and Kashmir.
