J&K Election 2024: Key Regional Players Driving The Political Contest

NC, led by Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, is one of the oldest and most influential regional parties in Jammu and Kashmir. In the upcoming elections, NC has formed a pre-poll alliance with Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist under the INDIA bloc. Together, they have declared 66 candidates, including six ‘friendly contests.’ 

NC has a strong history in Jammu and Kashmir politics, having formed the government five times. Three generations of the Abdullah family have held the Chief Minister’s office: Sheikh Abdullah (twice), Farooq Abdullah (three times), and Omar Abdullah (once). 

AIP is led by jailed MP Engineer Rashid. His brother Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh will contest from Langate. AIP named candidates from nine key constituencies like Sopore, Handwara, Uri, and Gulmarg. They will contest 35 seats, mostly in the Kashmir Valley. 

The party promises the unconditional release of prisoners, free laptops to students, and the revival of the Darbar Move practice. 

After the BJP withdrew its support in 2018, the PDP has been recalibrating its strategy for the 2024 election, positioning itself as a key regional contender. The party has fielded more than 40 candidates, primarily focusing on the Kashmir Valley, where it has traditionally held sway. 

In the 2014 election, PDP won 28 seats, forming an alliance with the BJP after a hung assembly. 

The JKPC has pledged to fight for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and the reinstatement of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. Separatist-turned-mainstream politician Sajad Ghani Lone will contest from Handwara and Kupwara. Shia cleric Imran Reza Ansari will contest from Pattan.

Sajad Lone's JKPC is expected to have a significant presence, especially in the northern constituencies like Handwara and Kupwara. 

Founded by former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the DPAP has released its first list of 13 candidates for the 2024 assembly elections. Some prominent names include Ab Majeed Wani (Doda East), Mohd Amin Bhat (Devsar), and Bilal Ahmed Deva (Anantnag West). This newly formed party is likely to contest vigorously, focusing on regions like Anantnag, Doda, and Devsar. 

Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape changed after the removal of Article 370 and delimitation in 2019, adding more seats and reshaping electoral boundaries. 

Apart from the regional parties, major players like NC, Congress, and BJP are also actively involved, with NC having a strong electoral history and forming alliances with Congress.