Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah (File Photo)
As the date of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir is approaching, the number of independent candidates is increasing here. According to data from Jammu and Kashmir, 44 percent of the total candidates are contesting as independents in the first two phases. He can play an important role as a potential kingmaker in the post-election scenario.
A total of 214 independent candidates from various assembly constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen to contest as independents in the first and second phase. The independent candidates also include those associated with the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) led by MP Engineer Abdul Rashid Shaikh, who was released from jail on bail. Along with this, four candidates of Jamaat-e-Islami, an organization banned by the central government, are also contesting as independents.
Many parties’ vote banks are under threat from independent candidates.
AIP has so far fielded 26 candidates in various parts of Kashmir for the first two phases of assembly elections. While 4 former members of Jamaat-e-Islami are still contesting the elections. Data obtained from the official website of the Election Commission has revealed that there has been an increase in the number of candidates contesting as independent candidates from various constituencies in the upcoming elections.
The rise in the number of these independent candidates in the assembly has become a matter of concern for many politicians with traditional votebanks. In which National Conference is number one and PDP is number two. Both populist parties feel that the presence of independent candidates can dilute their votes and give an advantage to their opponents.
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The nomination date for the two phases of assembly elections has ended. While nominations are still going on for North Kashmir seats to be held under the third phase. According to the dates announced by the Election Commission, polling for 24 seats in the first phase of the total 90 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on September 18, while in the second phase, 26 seats will go to polls on September 25. The remaining 40 seats will be in the third and final phase.
Where independent candidates get funds – Khadge
National Conference vice-president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah is not only calling the number of independent candidates a BJP ploy, but Mehbooba is also questioning the funding of such independent candidates, including engineer Rashid. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has also indicated that there is a conspiracy behind fielding these independent candidates on the lines of Mehbooba Mufti. He said from where these independent candidates get funds and who field them?
Congress Rajya Sabha member Nasir Hussain has also called it a BJP conspiracy to field independent candidates. He said BJP is dividing states and fielding independent and proxy candidates in various places. This is how BJP fights elections. At the same time, according to senior BJP leader Ashok Kaul, the focus right now is on contesting the elections and the party’s main aim is to win majority of seats in Jammu.
