AAP and DPAP Announce Candidates for Historic Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Polls

AAP revealed its first list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, marking its debut in the region. Meanwhile, DPAP also announced its candidate list. The elections will be held in three phases. A Congress-NC alliance aims to contest all 90 seats.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled its first list of seven candidates for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The list includes Fayaz Ahmed Sofi for Pulwama, Muddasir Hassan for Rajpora, and Sheikh Fida Hussain for Devsar. Mohsin Shafkat Mir will contest from Dooru, Mehraj Din Malik from Doda, Yasir Shafi Matto from Doda West, and Musassir Azmat Mir from Banihal.

This marks AAP's debut in the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, set to occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. Concurrently, Ghulam Nabi Azad's Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) disclosed its first list of 13 candidates.

"Announcing our 1st list of candidates for the assembly elections. Our best wishes to them as they prepare to serve and represent our people!" read the DPAP's social media announcement. Meanwhile, the Congress has formed an alliance with Farooq Abdullah's National Conference for the upcoming polls.

The Congress-NC pre-poll alliance was confirmed after Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge met with NC leader Farooq Abdullah. Following the meeting, Abdullah declared that the alliance would contest all 90 assembly seats. The official announcement was made by NC patron Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar with the statement, "United we stand," as posted on JKNC's social media.

The Election Commission has issued a notification for the first phase, covering 24 constituencies. This election will be the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)