Tag: Jammu & Kashmir

After receiving the letter of support from the Congress, Abdullah intends to go to Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the government…reports Asian Lite News

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) on Thursday unanimously elected Omar Abdullah as the leader of its Legislative Party.

Speaking about his election, Omar Abdullah, president of JKNC, said, “There was a meeting of the National Conference’s Legislative Party, and the Legislative Party decided on its leader. I am deeply grateful to the National Conference legislators for reposing faith in me, trusting me, and giving me the chance to go to Raj Bhavan and stake a claim to form the government.”

He also mentioned ongoing discussions with the Congress for their letter of support. “Talks are going on to get the letter of support from the Congress. Four independent MLAs have also extended their support to the National Conference,” Abdullah added. The National Conference now has 42 MLAs, with the support of four independents.

After receiving the letter of support from the Congress, Abdullah intends to go to Raj Bhavan to stake his claim to form the government.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah stated that whenever a government is formed in Jammu and Kashmir, it should pass a resolution and begin talks with the Union government to restore the region’s statehood.

“Once the government is formed, it should pass a resolution and then engage in talks with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other ministers in Delhi,” he said.

He further emphasised that they would make every effort to work harmoniously with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) for the benefit of the people. “We do not seek a major confrontation between the LG and the government. Instead, we aim for peaceful cooperation and to work for the people until we regain our rightful status as a state. We hope to restore statehood as soon as possible,” he added.

When asked about a congratulatory call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the NC alliance on their victory, Abdullah said, “The Prime Minister congratulated the National Conference, and I expressed my thanks. I also conveyed our desire for a cooperative and conducive atmosphere to work for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

He declined to comment on portfolio allocations or whether a Congress leader would assume the role of Deputy Chief Minister.

“People have placed great trust in us, and with that trust, we have secured many seats through the coalition. Our responsibility now is to meet their expectations,” Abdullah added.

He also assured that the future government would work for all citizens, including those who voted for the BJP and those who abstained from voting. “We are not the type to seek revenge on those who didn’t vote for us. The upcoming government will represent the Congress, the National Conference, the BJP, and even those who abstained from voting. In Srinagar, only 20 per cent voted–should we ignore the remaining 80 per cent? They too deserve the benefits of governance. Similarly, the people of Jammu, who voted for the BJP, also have the right to benefit from the government,” he said. (ANI)

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The poll percentage in the first phase was 61.38%, 57.31% in the second phase, and a tentative 68.72% in the third phase…reports Asian Lite News

The polling for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections concluded in a “peaceful and celebratory atmosphere,” marking the end of the third and final phase on Tuesday.

In Phase 3, 40 Assembly constituencies across 7 districts saw voting at 5,060 polling stations. A total of 415 candidates were in the fray, including 387 men and 28 women.

These Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, were held in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir after a gap of nearly ten years. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.

“The three-phased Assembly Election in J&K concluded today with the third and final phase of polling. The Election Commission of India had issued the formal schedule on August 16. Polling for 24 constituencies took place on September 18, the second phase for 26 constituencies on September 25, and the final phase for 40 constituencies today. The poll percentage in the first phase was 61.38%, 57.31% in the second phase, and a tentative 68.72% in the third phase. The overall poll percentage stands at 63.45% (tentative),” according to an official statement.

As per the data, Kupwara recorded a poll percentage of 65.81%, Baramulla 59.84%, Bandipora 67.57%, Ganderbal 62.83%, Srinagar 30.08%, Budgam 63.28%, Pulwama 46.99%, Shopian 57.01%, Kulgam 63.14%, and Anantnag 57.90%.

In the Jammu region, Kishtwar recorded 80.20%, Doda 71.32%, Ramban 70.57%, Reasi 74.68%, Udhampur 75.87%, Kathua 72.23%, Samba 75.22%, Jammu 70.25%, Rajouri 71.13%, and Poonch 74.37%.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that the polling concluded peacefully in a celebratory atmosphere.

“The elections were a resounding statement in favour of democracy, in line with Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar’s confidence expressed during the announcement of the general elections in J&K on August 16,” the statement said.

At the time, Rajiv Kumar had expressed that “the world will witness the defeat of nefarious interests and the triumph of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar added, “The J&K Assembly elections mark a significant deepening of democracy, which will echo in the pages of history and inspire the democratic spirit of the region for years to come. These elections are dedicated to the people of J&K, acknowledging their determination and belief in the democratic process. The peaceful and participative elections are historic, with democracy taking root more deeply than ever before, driven by the will of the people of J&K.”

The elections also saw a notable increase in voter turnout in areas historically associated with militancy and boycotting democratic processes. Polling percentages rose by 12.97% in the Pulwama Assembly constituency compared to the 2014 elections. Zainapora in Shopian saw a 9.52% increase, while Eidgah in Srinagar recorded a 9.16% rise, reflecting growing confidence in the electoral process.

The National Conference and Congress formed a pre-poll alliance, while the PDP and BJP contested separately.

Prominent 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, campaigned extensively for weeks.

The West Pakistani refugee community exercised their right to vote for the first time in Assembly elections after gaining citizenship following the abrogation of Article 370.

In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024. (ANI)

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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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