Category: Jammu & Kashmir

This election marks the first one in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The three-phase election is witnessing a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats across the erstwhile state…reports Asian Lite News

The high-stakes campaigning for the third and final phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded on Sunday evening with voting set to take place for 40 constituencies in the third phase. Of the 40 constituencies, 24 fall under the Jammu division and the remaining in Kashmir.

This election marks the first one in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The three-phase election is witnessing a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats across the erstwhile state.

While the National Conference and the Congress are fighting the elections in an alliance, the People’s Democratic Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the two other major players.

Major political parties, especially the BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP, have been involved in heated debates over key issues including Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation, all through the days of campaigning.

High-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah (BJP), Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, were on the ground for weeks.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are not just ordinary elections but a demonstration of India’s democracy and its strength.

Targeting Pakistan, the Defence Minister said that whenever the agencies investigated terrorist activities in Kashmir, Pakistan has always been found to be involved in that.

He also highlighted the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), launched by Modi in 2015 for Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a public rally in Gurez at Bandipore area today, Rajnath Singh asserted that if there had been a better relationship, India would have given more money to Pakistan than what they have asked from the International Monetary Fund.

Earlier on Saturday, Modi hit out against the Congress in his election rally in Jammu and spoke of the 2016 surgical strikes and the “robust response” of his government against those trying to create trouble in the country.

Addressing a rally in Jammu, Modi referred to the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army in 2016 on terror launch pads across the Line of Control after a terrorist strike in Uri and said that the action gave out a message about “new India.”

Meanwhile, Nasrallah’s killing has created another political row, with People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, cancelling her election campaign on Sunday for the third phase of the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir in “solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah.”

“Cancelling my campaign tomorrow in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, especially Hassan Nasarullah. We stand with the people of Palestine and Lebanon in this hour of immense grief and exemplary resistance,” Mehbooba Mufti said in a post on X on Saturday.

Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed Mufti for showing solidarity with Nasrallah and accused her of supporting terrorists.

Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that parties like the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party and Congress support terrorism and not democracy. He further said that these parties are aware of the situation in Gaza but are unable to see what’s happening with the Hindus in Dhaka.

BJP leader Kavinder Gupta termed Mufti’s empathy as “crocodile tears” and questioned the PDP chief on her silence on the “attacks and killings” of Hindus in Bangladesh and said that one should speak on the “lines of humanity.”

BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur also attacked Mufti over the issue and said she was playing her “religious card” and an “election stunt” for doing appeasement.

Voting for this crucial phase covers 40 Assembly segments across seven districts–Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, and Kathua in the Jammu region and Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara in north Kashmir.

Earlier, polling parties were dispatched for Bani Assembly constituency ahead of the 3rd phase of J-K Assembly Elections.

Speaking about the polls, Kathua Dy Election Officer, Nagesh Singh, said, “Elections for the third phase of J-K Assembly elections will be held in our district. The polling party for Bani Assembly Constituency has been dispatched.”

“Later, they will leave for their respective polling stations. There are a total of 704 polling stations in the Kathua district. In Bani, there are 94 polling stations. Flying Squad Teams (FST) and Static Surveillance Teams (SST) have been deployed to ensure free and fair elections,” he informed.

In another development, the BJP suspended three of its leaders on Saturday after they were found involved in ‘anti-party activities’ ahead of the third phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir.

The names of the leaders are Amit Sharma, DDC Majalta, Prakshit Singh, DDC Jaganu, and Swarn Singh Rathore, District Vice President, Udhampur.

Following the encounter with terrorists in village Kog (Mandli), in the Kathua district on Saturday, the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of Jammu Anand Jain said that all the required arrangements have been made for the third phase of the assembly polls in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday became unwell while addressing a rally in the Jasrota area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. (ANI)

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For smooth and hassle-free facilitation of voters, ECI has established 1,494 polling stations across the district with 609 urban polling stations and 885 rural polling stations….reports Asian Lite News

Eleven Assembly Constituencies (ACs) of district Jammu are all set for polls with over 12 lakh voters going to exercise their right to franchise on October 1, during the third and final phase of Assembly polls.

The district comprises eleven Assembly Constituencies namely Bishnah (SC), Suchetgarh (SC), R.S. Pura-Jammu South, Bahu, Jammu East, Nagrota, Jammu West, Jammu North, Marh (SC), Akhnoor (SC) and Chhamb, with a total of 12,00,977 voters; 6,19,066 male, 5,81,887  female and 24 third gender voters.

For smooth and hassle-free facilitation of voters, ECI has established 1,494 polling stations across the district with 609 urban polling stations and 885 rural polling stations.

To foster maximum voter participation and facilitate voters, dedicated polling stations have been established across districts for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), Polling booths managed by women as Pink Polling Stations, Polling Stations manned by youths, Green Polling Stations and Unique Polling Stations.

Among all the eleven Assembly Constituencies of the district, 74-R.S. Pura-Jammu South AC has the highest number of 1,30,107 registered voters, comprising 67,322 males, 62,782 females and 3 transgender voters.

The constituency also houses 149 polling stations, 98 urban and 51 rural for smooth and hassle-free voting experience for all registered voters.

Interestingly, the upcoming elections are set to be a coming-of-age moment for 47,963 first-time voters. These young voices are spread across the district, with 82-Chhamb AC leading the pack with 5,647 new voters, while 78-Jammu West AC has the lowest count at 2,801.

Jammu’s senior citizens, who comprise nearly 18 per cent of the total electorate, are poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming elections. These 2,15,338 voters, aged 60 and above, bring their wealth of experience to the polling booths. However, it is the centenarians who truly embody the spirit of enduring democracy.

“Jammu boasts 404 voters between 100-109 years old, 29 super-centenarians aged 110-119 and remarkably, six voters who have lived through over 120 years of India’s history,” an official statement said.

“Meanwhile, all arrangements are being put in place for smooth and peaceful polling in the district where voting is taking place on October 1. Currently, a number of voter awareness programmes are underway in various parts of the district to generate interest among the electorate regarding the importance of exercising the franchise and to maximise the voter turnout.”

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Among the districts, Reasi witnessed the highest poll percentage of 74.14, followed by Poonch at 73.78% and Rajouri at 69. 85%, Ganderbal 62.63%, Budgam 61.31% and Srinagar 29. 24%…reports Asian Lite News

Enthusiastic voters swarmed most polling booths since the morning across 26 Assembly segments of Jammu & Kashmir on Wednesday (September 25, 2024) and registered a voter turnout of more than 56% till 7 p.m., according to the Election Commission of India (EC).

“There has not been any incident that a repoll is required. There were 3,502 polling stations and no polling booth had a voting percentage in single digits. In Srinagar, the polling percentage exceeded the Lok Sabha figures by over 5%,” J&K Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole said.

“The poll was peaceful overall. As per the figures, 56.79 voter turnout was recorded till now,” Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole told reporters on Wednesday evening.

Among the districts, Reasi witnessed the highest poll percentage of 74.14, followed by Poonch 73.78 pc, Rajouri 69. 85 pc, Ganderbal 62. 63 pc, Budgam 61.31 pc and Srinagar 29. 24 pc.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was among the key candidates fighting from the two constituencies – Budgam and Ganderbal. The other contenders included Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hamid Karra.

Polling was conducted across six districts of Budgam, Ganderbal, Poonch and Jammu regions of Rajouri, Reasi and Srinagar, with 25.78 lakh electors eligible to cast votes to decide fate of 239 candidates in the second phase. The first phase of assembly polls was held on September 18.

CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu had maintained a constant supervision of the polling process to ensure that the polling took place in an incident free manner.

Earlier in the day, interacting with media at Nirvachan Sadan, CEC Rajiv Kumar said that these elections are “history in the making”, the echoes of which will be carried through posterity.

He added that the valleys and the mountains which had once witnessed fear and boycott, are now taking part in the democratic festivities or “Jashn-e-Jamhuriyat”.

Strong security measures were in place creating a conducive environment for voters to cast their vote without fear or intimidation. Webcasting was in place in all polling stations to ensure transparency of the voting process. While demonstrating the visuals emerging live from the Polling Stations in Jammu & Kashmir, CEC Kumar lauded the voters seen patiently waiting for their turn to vote at the Polling Stations and said that it is a resounding statement of their belief in democracy.

Some of the seats that went to the polls had in the past seen threats of poll boycott from separatist elements.

The poll panel said in a release that overall voter turnout recorded in these six districts that went for polls in Phase 2 has also surpassed the turnout recorded in Lok Sabha Elections 2024.

“Voting took place in a tranquil atmosphere free of fear and intimidation. Voters inhabiting the areas near the border were also empowered to exercise their franchise at 55 border polling stations set up near the LoC in 89 Poonch Haveli and 90 Mendhar AC in Poonch district and 51 such polling stations in Rajouri district. These border polling stations saw voting today in line with the Commission’s resolve to bring even the remotest corners of the country into the democratic fold,” the release added.

Rahul vows to fight for J&K’s statehood

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reiterated that the opposition will use its full force to pressurise Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

Addressing a public rally in Sopore, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that for the first time in history, a state was downgraded into a ‘union territory’ and injustice was served to the people of the territory and the INDIA bloc will fight for its restoration.

“We wanted that the statehood be restored before elections. All the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted the elections to take place after the restoration of the statehood. The first and foremost issue is regarding your statehood. Several UTs have been made states, and states have been bifurcated. But this is the first time in history that a state has been turned into a Union Territory. It did not happen, the first step is election. But after this, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be restored,” Rahul Gandhi said.

“INDIA Alliance will pressurise PM Modi in the Parliament for this. If they don’t do this, then we will restore your statehood as soon as the INDIA bloc forms the government at the centre. If we want this apple to reach America and Japan, statehood has to be restored,” Rahul Gandhi added.

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Voting started across 24 seats at 7 am today, including 16 seats in the Kashmir region and eight seats in the Jammu region….reports Asian Lite News

A voter turnout of 61.13 pc was registered in the first phase polling in Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, which were held on 24 constituencies in seven districts. According to Election Commission data, the voting percentage was 61.13 per cent till 11.30 pm.

Voting started across 24 seats at 7 am today, including 16 seats in the Kashmir region and eight seats in the Jammu region. The voting was peaceful. “Building on the successful foundation of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, peaceful and enthusiastic voting marked the beginning of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir,” EC said in a release.

“Voters from all sections of society responded to the ‘call of democracy’ wholeheartedly, reaffirming the confidence expressed by CEC Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of assembly elections that the people of J&K will give a befitting reply to the nefarious forces attempting to disrupt the electoral process,” it added.

The poll panel said that the long queues of voters at the polling stations showcased to the entire world, the deep trust and confidence of the people of J-K in the democratic exercise.

Kishtwar district recorded the highest turnout at 80.14 per cent followed by Ramban at 70.55 per cent, Doda at 71.34 per cent, Kulgam at 62.60 per cent, Anantnag at 57.84 per cent and Shopian at 55.96 per cent

The Pulwama district recorded the lowest at 46.65 per cent. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed happiness over a good voter turnout in the first phase.

In a post on X, LG Sinha said, “Congratulations J&K for a historic voter turnout! I would like to thank all voters, who exercised their franchise in 1st Phase. Record polling in the peaceful, free and fair election attests to the strength of Indian democracy and people’s faith in democratic values. I must congratulate all my sisters & first-time voters for participating in large numbers to celebrate the festival of democracy. Heartfelt gratitude to outstanding security forces, JKP & Election Officials. Approx 59% polling in the first phase shows ‘Jamhooriyat’ (democracy) is flourishing in J-K.”

“Long queues of voters in Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag demolished the motivated propaganda of the adversaries. People have also rebuffed the agenda of divisive elements and reaffirmed their faith in democracy,” LG Manoj Sinha added.

Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing an interesting contest with several political parties and independents in the fray. National Congress and Congress have allied, though they are also in friendly contest on some seats.

This is the first election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Leaders have held hectic campaigns to boost the prospects of their party candidates.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, getting interim bail from a Delhi court has added another dimension to the election with his Awami Ittehad Party contesting the polls.

Rashid contested the Lok Sabha elections as an Independent and defeated National Conference leader Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla seat. The National Conference and PDP leaders have taken digs at the BJP following Rashid’s release from jail on bail.

Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Votes will be counted on October 8. (ANI)

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Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the current administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir…reports Asian Lite News

Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday advocated for the restoration of the region’s statehood, asserting that the withdrawal of its autonomous status has not only snatched the state of its identity but also eroded the rights and resources of its people.

While addressing an election rally in Ramban ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election, the Congress leader said, “For the first time in the history of India, statehood has been snatched away. Union Territory was first made a state… A state has been abolished and the rights of the people have been snatched away. First of all, the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has to be returned because not only your state has been snatched away, your rights, your wealth, everything is being snatched away from you.”

“We wanted that you should first get statehood and then elections should be held. But the BJP does not want this, they say that first elections will be held and then the issue of statehood will be discussed. We are saying that whatever happens, we will get statehood for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Whether the BJP wants it or not, we will exert so much pressure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will have to be given statehood,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the current administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing a parallel between the region’s past monarchical rule and its present governance.

“In 1947, we removed the kings, formed a democratic government and gave a Constitution to the country. But… Today, there is a ‘king’ named LG sitting in Jammu and Kashmir, who is snatching your money and giving it to outsiders. Therefore, our first step will be to return ‘statehood’ to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The Congress MP highlighted his ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ and underscored the contrasting visions of his party and the BJP.

“This fight is between two ideologies. On one side- hatred, violence, and fear. On the other hand- love and respect. We walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, during which we gave the slogan – ‘We have to open a shop of love in the market of hatred.’ BJP’s job is to spread hatred, our job is to spread love. They break, we unite,” he said.

“Before the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi used to come with his chest puffed out, now his shoulders are bent. This time, before entering the Parliament, he placed the Constitution on his forehead and then went inside,” the Congress leader added.

Rahul Gandhi also assured to fill all the government vacancies after coming to power.

“The alliance government of Congress party is going to come to power here, this is going to happen. Our first task will be to fill all the government vacancies and we will extend the age to 40 years, we will regularize the daily wage workers, make them permanent and we will increase their income. Our goal will be to run the government of Jammu and Kashmir by taking everyone together, everyone should be respected, we should take everyone together,” he said.

“This is such a beautiful place, I will have to come here after the elections. You have made a 45-minute program for me here, you have cheated me. At least a 2-3 day program should be made here, I don’t get to see such a place, such lovely people, at least bring me here for 2-3 days and show me around,” the Congress leader added.

Jammu and Kashmir has 90 assembly constituencies, with 7 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and 9 for Scheduled Tribes (STs).

These upcoming elections will be the first in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. (ANI)

Amit Shah to release BJP’s manifesto on Sept 6

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election manifesto for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on September 6, as per party sources.

Shah is expected to arrive in Jammu around 2 pm on Friday, where he will release the manifesto at the BJP’s media centre in the city.

According to party sources, on the first day of his visit, the Home Minister will meet with the core group of the state’s BJP unit to review the party’s election preparations and ground-level activities. On the second day, Shah will hold discussions with party leaders to ensure the success of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will see 219 candidates in the fray, with voting scheduled for September 18. This will be the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370.

Sources said that the BJP’s manifesto will likely focus on good governance and promoting tourism in Kashmir.

A significant announcement regarding the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, a key electoral issue, is expected. All political parties are aiming to assure Kashmiri Pandit voters that the government will create a concrete plan for their return and ensure their security. The BJP may also make a major announcement for Kashmiri Pandits in its manifesto, along with a strong stance on curbing stone-pelting incidents.

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will be held on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the results announced on October 8.

The abrogation of Article 370 led to the revocation of the state’s special status and its bifurcation into two Union Territories in 2019. (ANI)

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