As the deadline for the withdrawal of nomination papers for the Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in the 02-Srinagar Lok Sabha seat drew to a close, five candidates opted out of the race, leaving a total of 24 contenders vying for the parliamentary seat.
Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, the Returning Officer for the 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, confirmed that on the final day of withdrawal, five candidates withdrew their nominations on Monday, April 29, 2024. With their withdrawal, the total number of candidates in the fray has now reduced from 29 to 24.
Among those who remain in contention are prominent candidates representing various political parties, including Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Waheed ur Rehman Para from the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party, and Mohammad Ashraf Mir from the J&K Apni Party.
Additionally, independent candidates continue to assert their presence in the electoral arena, with names such as Sheeban Ashahi, Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh, and Riyaz Ahmad Bhat among those still in contention.
The electoral landscape witnessed initial enthusiasm, with a total of 39 candidates filing their nomination papers before the Returning Officer by the deadline on Thursday, April 25, 2024. However, during the scrutiny process held on April 26, 2024, the nomination papers of 10 candidates were rejected, narrowing down the pool of contenders. With the withdrawal of five more candidates on the final day, the stage is set for a competitive electoral battle as Srinagar gears up to elect its representative to the Lok Sabha, Jammu.