The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has unveiled its initial list of 18 candidates for the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. This announcement came after the party finalized a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress. Among the key candidates are Retired Justice Hussnain Masoodi for Pampore, Mohammad Khalil Bandh for Pulwama, and Sakina Ittoo for DH Pora. The list showcases a combination of seasoned politicians and notable personalities representing both the Kashmir and Jammu regions.

This development is a significant move as the NC gears up to contest 51 seats, while the Congress will vie for 32 seats in the upcoming three-phase elections.

As approved by Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has nominated the following candidates to contest in the upcoming Assembly elections:

1. Retd. Justice Hussnain Masoodi – Pampore
2. Mohammad Khalil Bandh – Pulwama
3. Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Mir – Rajpora
4. Showkat Hussain Ganie – Zainpora
5. Sheikh Mohammad Rafi – Shopian
6. Sakina Ittoo – D.H. Pora
7. Peerzada Feroze Ahmad – Devsar
8. Chowdary Zaffer Ahmad – Larnoo
9. Abdul Majeed Larmi – Anantnag West
10. Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri – Bijbehara
11. Reyaz Ahmad Khan – Anantnag East
12. Altaf Ahmad Kaloo – Pahalgam
13. Mehboob Iqbal – Bhaderwah
14. Khalid Najeeb Soharwardy – Doda
15. Arjun Singh Raju – Ramban
16. Sajad Shaheen – Banihal
17. Sajad Kichloo – Kishtwar
18. Pooja Thokur – Pader-Nagsani

Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC)

The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) is a major political party in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Founded in 1932 by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, it played a pivotal role in the region’s political history, advocating for the rights of Kashmiri Muslims and greater autonomy for the state within the Indian Union. The party’s ideology is centered around Kashmiri nationalism, secularism, and social justice. Over the decades, the JKNC has dominated the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, with its leaders often holding the position of Chief Minister when the region had statehood. The party has been led by members of the Abdullah family, with Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah serving as key figures. JKNC has historically been a strong advocate for the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, which was abrogated by the Indian government in 2019.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the INC has often been an ally of regional parties like the JKNC. The two parties have formed alliances in the past, including for the upcoming 2024 Assembly elections, where they have agreed on a seat-sharing arrangement to contest the polls jointly. This alliance is seen as a strategic move to consolidate anti-BJP votes in the region.