Former Jammu and Kashmir Minister Choudhary Zulfikar Ali met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, sparking speculation about a potential political shift. Ali revealed that the meeting involved discussions about various issues concerning the region, prominently focusing on the upcoming Assembly elections.
He shared, “Today I met with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding several issues in our area. We had a detailed discussion over the elections (upcoming Assembly elections in J&K) also.” Ali further indicated a potential change in his political affiliation, stating, “About joining BJP I will…” This statement has fueled anticipation regarding his future political alignment.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has formally declared the dates for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections. The polls will be conducted in three phases, commencing on September 18th, followed by September 25th, and concluding on October 1st. The results for both the Assembly elections will be declared on October 4th, as announced by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Friday.
With 90 assembly constituencies, Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 87.09 lakh electors, with a notable increase in the number of first-time voters. This upcoming election marks a significant event for the region, as it will be the first in ten years following the last Assembly elections held in 2014. The PDP-BJP coalition government fell in June 2018 due to the BJP’s withdrawal of support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The Supreme Court’s directive last December urged the Centre to conclude the election process in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024, prompting the Election Commission’s timely announcement of the poll schedule.
