J-K Elections 2024: The Congress party has struggled to find ground in Jammu in the ongoing assembly elections in the Union Territory, winning just one seat in the region. Out of 29 candidates fielded, only Iftikar Ahmed secured a victory in Rajouri, while key party figures, including two working presidents, faced losses.
Congress, which contested the election in alliance with the National Conference (NC), fielded 32 candidates, mostly in Jammu. In comparison, NC had 51 candidates. Both parties also had a ‘friendly contest’ in five seats.
The Rajouri seat was Congress’s only success in Jammu, with Iftikar Ahmed defeating BJP’s Vibodh Gupta by 1,404 votes. Unlike 2014, where Congress won five seats in Jammu, this time, the NC didn’t field a candidate in Rajouri, adhering to the alliance agreement.
In Kashmir, Congress had better results, winning two seats. Peerzada Mohammad Syed won against PDP’s Mehboob Beg, and Nizam-uddin Bhat secured victory in Bandipora. Three other Congress leaders, including Tariq Hameed Karra, G A Mir, and Irfan Hafiz Lone, are likely to win as they lead in their respective constituencies.
However, Congress’s performance in Jammu paints a bleak picture, with senior leaders like Tara Chand, Raman Bhalla, and Vikar Rasool Wani losing to BJP candidates. Other prominent leaders like Manohar Lal Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, and Choudhary Lal Singh also faced defeat.
Congress’s weak showing highlights the growing influence of the BJP in Jammu, marking a significant setback for the party.