Srinagar:

Former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad will contest from Jammu and Kashmir Anantnag-Rajouri seat in 2024, his Democratic Progressive Azad Party said on Tuesday Lok Sabha election.

The seat was won by National Conference’s Hasnain Masoodi in 2019, but this time the party fielded Main Altaf. It is a prestigious seat that could see a three-way contest, with former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also likely to contest. She is a two-term MP from Anantnag, which has alternated between the People’s Democratic Party and the NC since 1999. It is unclear whether the BJP will field a candidate or provide informal support.

Crucially, Anantnag is also a contested seat for the NC and the People’s Democratic Party, both of which are part of the Congress-led India Bloc. However, neither side is willing to give up their seats to the other.

Meanwhile, the BJP is trying to make inroads in the region after an extensive campaign by party chief Ravinder Raina in J&K, holding rallies in areas that were off-limits to the party a few years ago.

For Mr Azad, it will be the first test of his popularity in his homeland since quitting Congress.

NC and the BJP had divided six seats in J&K and Ladakh in the last elections.

Read | Ghulam Azad may face first popularity test after quitting Congress

Mr Azad’s confirmation of joining the electoral race came after he held a series of public meetings to gauge voters’ reaction. “There are many requests for me to contest elections. The demand for me to enter parliament is there… but there are also people who want me to contest the assembly elections,” he told New Delhi TV.

J&K, which was stripped of its special status under Article 370 and converted into two union territories in August 2019, has not held assembly elections for six years. Last year, the Supreme Court said that assembly elections must be held by September 30 after hearing a series of petitions on the subject.

Read | In historic J&K ruling, Supreme Court sets election deadline

Mr Azad quit Congress two years ago. Since then, he has held about 600 public meetings and told New Delhi TV, “I am very satisfied…the response from all walks of life has been overwhelming.”

The real challenge, however, is converting that enthusiasm into votes.

Meanwhile, Azad and his rivals have found common ground on at least one topic.

Read | ‘One country, one election from Kashmir’, says J&K party

The Democratic Action Party, People’s Democratic Party, Congress and National Committee have all called for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Parliament polls. “I am in favor of simultaneous elections in J&K. I want elections to be held before midnight. People of J&K are more concerned about assembly elections than assembly elections,” he said.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channel. click the link Get all the latest updates from NDTV in your chat.