In a dramatic turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has withdrawn its candidate list for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections, barely an hour after its release. The list had sparked controversy, with several senior leaders expressing discontent over the denial of tickets to prominent figures like former Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and former minister Sat Sharma.
Initially, BJP leaders claimed that the list was withdrawn due to typographical errors. However, upon closer inspection, no such errors were found, fueling speculation about the true reasons behind the move.
Sources within the party revealed to the news agency Kashmir News Trust that various leaders have objected to the list, citing concerns over the snubbing of senior leaders. This unexpected development exposes internal dissensions within the party, casting a shadow over its election preparations.
The BJP has announced that a new list will be released shortly, but the damage may already be done. This incident raises questions about the party’s unity and strategy ahead of the crucial assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]