Punjab Resident Becomes First Outsider to Contest Lok Sabha Polls in J&K's Anantnag-Rajouri Seat

Baldev Kumar, a resident of Punjab's Mohali, has become the first person from outside Jammu and Kashmir to contest the Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory. Kumar filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate from the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, which was made possible after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 that removed the earlier restriction barring non-permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir from contesting polls in the erstwhile state.

A total of 25 candidates have submitted nomination papers for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, which will go to polls on May 7. The key candidates include former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, senior NC leader Mian Altaf, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party, and Mohammad Saleem Parray of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP). The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has not fielded a candidate, and it is believed that the BJP may extend its support to the Apni Party or DPAP candidate.

Why this matters: This is the first Lok Sabha election in Jammu and Kashmir after the historic abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which has enabled outsiders to participate in polls in the region. The entry of a non-Kashmiri candidate marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kumar claims that he decided to contest the polls on the insistence of a "large number of local people whom he has served for the last 20 years", including during the 2014 floods, sponsoring students' education, and facilitating patients from Kashmir visiting Punjab for medical treatment. He has also been requesting the administration to build a 'Kashmir Bhawan' in Punjab for these patients, but his requests have not been fulfilled. Kumar believes that attaining a position of influence will help him achieve this goal, which is why he decided to contest the elections.

The Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency has over 18 lakh voters and is spread from Anantnag in south Kashmir to Poonch in Pir Panjal after delimitation. The scrutiny of the nomination papers will be done on April 22, and the allotment of poll symbols will be done on April 23. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. With a formidable electorate and

Key Takeaways

• Baldev Kumar, a Punjabi, is the first non-Kashmiri to contest J&K Lok Sabha polls.
• 25 candidates have filed nominations for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, including Mehbooba Mufti.
• BJP has not fielded a candidate, may support Apni Party or DPAP candidate.
• Article 370 abrogation enabled outsiders to participate in J&K polls, a significant shift.
• Anantnag-Rajouri constituency has over 18 lakh voters, spanning south Kashmir to Poonch.