After decades of waiting, West Pakistan refugees, Valmikis, and Gurkhas in Jammu and Kashmir finally exercised their right to vote in the Assembly elections. The abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A granted them domicile status, making them natives of J&K and allowing them to participate in the electoral process. This historic event marks a significant milestone for these communities, restoring their rights and allowing them to actively contribute to the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu on September 28th to address a rally during the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. The visit comes as voting enters its final phase, and follows BJP National President JP Nadda’s address hailing the peaceful and high voter turnout in the first two phases.
The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections saw a strong voter turnout of 61.38%, with the highest turnout recorded in Kishtwar district. The elections, held across seven districts, marked the first Assembly polls in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This article provides a detailed breakdown of voter turnout across different constituencies.
Omar Abdullah, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, has sharply criticized Pakistan for its Defence Minister’s comments suggesting alignment with the NC-Congress alliance on the restoration of Article 370. This statement comes amidst heightened political tension in the run-up to the J&K Assembly elections, with BJP accusing the opposition parties of siding with ‘anti-national forces.’
Jammu and Kashmir is on the brink of its first assembly elections in ten years, with the first phase scheduled for September 18th. This election marks a significant moment, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of the state. The article provides a detailed analysis of the election process, including the schedule, key players, and historical voting patterns.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has accused the BJP of failing to control militancy in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. He claims that militancy has increased under the current administration, while it declined during his tenure as Chief Minister. Abdullah also refuted claims that the NC-Congress alliance would bring back terrorism, stating that their party is committed to combating it.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the BJP’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, reiterating the party’s commitment to never reintroduce Article 370. Shah accused the National Conference and Congress of supporting a return to the previous status quo, highlighting the BJP’s stance on the issue.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its fourth list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, nominating 6 candidates for the second phase of polling. This brings the total number of BJP candidates to 51, including 14 for the Kashmir Valley. Notable inclusions in the list include J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina and former minister Vibodh Gupta. The BJP has yet to field some senior leaders, including former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh. The Congress has also released its list of candidates for the second phase, featuring key figures like Tariq Hameed Karra and Mumtaz Khan.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has declared the era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan over, emphasizing the consequences of Pakistan’s actions and the finality of Article 370’s abrogation in Jammu and Kashmir. This statement signals a shift in India’s approach towards Pakistan, moving away from passive diplomacy.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has accused the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance in Jammu and Kashmir of seeking to merge the region with Pakistan if they come to power. He claims the alliance aims to reintroduce Article 370 and is against the interests of Scheduled Tribes and Castes. Manjhi also blamed former Prime Ministers Nehru and Indira Gandhi for the situations in Kashmir and Bangladesh.
