After finalising a seat-sharing arrangement with the Congress, the National Conference (NC) on Monday issued its first list of 18 candidates for the initial phase of the three-phase Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections.
The party announced the list on X, stating it was approved by NC president Farooq Abdullah. The candidates for the first phase include Justice (Retd) Hassnain Masoodi for Pampore, Mohammad Khalil Bandh for Pulwama, and Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Mir for Rajpora. Also included are Showkat Hussain Ganie for Zainpora, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi for Shopian, and Sakina Ittoo for DH Pora.
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In addition, the NC named Peerzada Feroze Ahmad for Devsa, Chowdary Zaffer Ahmad for Larnoo, Abdul Majeed Larmi for Anantnag West, Bashir Ahmad Veeri for Bijbehara, Reyaz Ahmad Khan for Anantnag East, and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo for Pahalgam. These candidates will contest seats in south Kashmir.
For the Jammu region, the NC has fielded Mehboob Iqbal for Bhaderwah, Khalid Najeeb Soharwardy for Doda, Arjun Singh Raju for Ramban, Sajad Shaheen for Banihal, former minister Sajad Kichloo for Kishtwar, and Pooja Thokur for Pader-Nagsani.
The NC and Congress have agreed to contest 51 and 32 seats respectively in the assembly polls. One seat each has been allocated to the CPI(M) and the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP). The allies announced this arrangement at a joint press conference following extensive negotiations at the NC president's residence.
The first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on September 18, the second on September 25, and the third on October 1. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 4.