Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami is aiming for a fifth consecutive term from the Kulgam constituency in South Kashmir, once a militancy hotspot. A total of 10 candidates are contesting the seat, with the primary battle appearing to be between Tarigami and People's Conference candidate Nazir Ahmad Laway, a former People's Democratic Party (PDP) member. Additionally, Independent candidate Sayyar Reshi, backed by the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, is also competing for the Kulgam seat. 
 

Tarigami, as a four-time MLA representing the Kulgam constituency since 1996, is not only contesting as the CPI(M) candidate but also as the