The number of independent candidates has increased significantly in the first two phases of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. 44 percent of the total candidates are independents, who are set to play an important role as potential ‘kingmakers’ in the post-election scenario. According to the data, a total of 214 independent candidates are in the fray from various assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir in the first and second phases. The independent candidates also include candidates associated with the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by jailed MP Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh. Notably, AIP has fielded 26 candidates in the first two phases of the assembly elections from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Details obtained from the official website of the Election Commission (EC) revealed that the number of candidates contesting the upcoming elections as independent candidates from various constituencies has increased. At least 24 assembly constituencies are going to polls in the first phase of elections in which 92 candidates are contesting as independent candidates. Seven candidates are contesting from Pampore constituency, six from Tral constituency, seven from Pulwama, two from Rajpora, four from Zainapora, six from Shopian, two from DH Pora, four from Kulgam, three from Devsar, four from Dooru, six from Kokernag (R), three from Anantnag West, five from Anantnag, six from Shangas Anantnag-East, two from Pahalgam, four from Inderwal, three from Kishtwar, three from Paddar-Nagseni, three from Bhaderwah, three from Doda, two from Doda-West, five from Ramban and two from Banihal assembly constituency.
There is no independent candidate in the Srigufwara-Bijbehara constituency, where polling is going to be held in the first phase. Only three candidates are contesting from there, including Iltija Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bashir Ahmed Shah Veeri of the National Conference (NC) and Sofi Yusuf of the Bharatiya Janata Party. A total of 122 independent candidates are contesting from different seats in the 26 constituencies where polling is to be held in the second phase.
Seven independent candidates are contesting from Ganderbal assembly constituency, five from Hazratbal, six from Khanyar, seven from Habba Kadal, five from Lal Chowk, three from Chanapora, seven from Zadibal, eight from Eidgah, eight from Central Shalteng, five from Budgam, seven from Beerwah, four from Khansahib, five from Char-e-Sharif, two from Chadoora, two from Gulabgarh, four from Reasi, four from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, five from Kalakote-Sunderbani, one from Nowshera, seven from Rajouri (SC), one from Budhal (SC), two from Thanamandi (SC), six from Surankot, four from Poonch Haveli and seven from Mendhar constituency. Among the independent candidates whose nominations have been accepted, eight each are from Central-Shalteng and Eidgah constituencies. No independent candidate is contesting from Kangan (SC). It is noteworthy that 19 independent candidates from various assembly constituencies have withdrawn their nomination papers.