BJP reannounces list of candidates for JK assembly polls

Srinagar: Bharatiya Janta Party on Monday re-released list of candidates for Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.

As per the list issued by party, Syed Showkat Gayoor will be party’s candidate from Pampore, Arshid Bhat from Rajpora, Javid Qadri from Shopian, Rafiq Wani from Anantnag West, advocate Wazahat from Anantnag.

Sofi Yousuf from Bijbehara-Srigufwara, Tariq Keen from Inderwal, Shagun Parihar from Kishtwar, Sunil Sharma from Padder-Nagsani, Dilip Singh Parihar from Badherwah, Gajesh Rana from Doda, Shakti Raj Parihar from Doda West, Rakesh Thakur from Ramban and Salim Bhat from Banihal.

Barely an hour before the re-announcement, a list was issued and then  removed from all social sites of the party.

The list had sparked controversy, with several senior leaders expressing discontent over the denial of tickets to prominent figures like Nirmal Singh and former minister Sat Sharma, news agency KNT reported.

The report said initially, BJP leaders claimed that the list was withdrawn due to typographical errors. However, upon closer inspection, no such errors were found, fueling speculation about the true reasons behind the move.

Sources within the party revealed to the news agency that various leaders had objected to the list, citing concerns over the snubbing of senior leaders. This unexpected development exposes internal dissensions within the party, casting a shadow over its election preparations.

The BJP has announced that a new list will be released shortly, but the damage may already be done. This incident raises questions about the party’s unity and strategy ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.