Prominent candidates from the constituency for this year’s Lok Sabha elections include Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), senior National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party, and Mohammad Saleem Paray of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha elections.
The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, one of the six seats in Jammu and Kashmir, is currently represented by Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKN) leader, Hasnain Masoodi.
Prominent candidates from the constituency for this year’s Lok Sabha elections include Mehbooba Mufti, president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), senior National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party, and Mohammad Saleem Paray of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).
Voting for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, which was originally scheduled for May 7, was deferred to May 25.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Anantnag constituency had the third-lowest number of total electors, with 125,465 voters, and recorded the lowest voter turnout at 8.98%. However, after delimitation, the constituency now has an electorate of 1.92 million and comprises 18 assembly segments, including 11 in Kashmir and seven in Rajouri-Poonch. This demographic change has added political complexities to the constituency, including Pahari-Gujjar, Jammu versus Kashmir dimensions.
In 2019, amidst low voter turnout, National Conference's Hasnain Masoodi emerged victorious, with PDP's Mehbooba Mufti securing the third spot. Mehbooba had previously won the seat in 2004 and 2014. However, the character of the seat has changed after delimitation, presenting a potential uphill battle for Mehbooba in the upcoming polls.
Also read: West Bengal 2024 Lok Sabha election phase 3: Key constituencies and candidates.
The contest primarily revolves around former Chief Minister Mufti and NC’s Altaf Ahmad, a tribal leader, who is also supported by the Congress. Mufti has asked voters of the Union Territory to express their unhappiness over the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution through their votes.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and J&K People’s Conference have not fielded any candidates, potentially providing behind-the-scenes support to the Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party.
Various parties have petitioned the Election Commission to postpone polling in Anantnag due to inaccessibility, but the PDP and NC have opposed any delay in the polls.
| CANDIDATE NAME | Party |
| Mehbooba Mufti | People's Democratic Party |
| Mian Altaf | National Conference |
| Zaffar Iqbal Manhas | Apni Party |
| Saleem Paray | Democratic Progressive Azad Party |
Also check: Live updates 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
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