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310 candidates file nominations phase two J&K polls

The second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election is scheduled to be held on September 25….reports Asian Lite News

As many as 310 candidates have filed their nomination papers across 26 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) of six districts of J&K which are going to polling in the second phase of the Assembly polls.

Thursday was the last day of filing nomination papers for the second phase of the Assembly Election scheduled to be held on September 25.

Chief Electoral Officer said that a total of 310 candidates have filed 329 nomination papers for the second phase of the forthcoming election.

A total of 112 candidates have filed their nominations in Srinagar district, followed by 68 in Budgam district, 47 in Rajouri district, and 35 in Poonch district, while 24 candidates each have filed nominations in Reasi and Ganderbal districts.

In Jammu division, for the three ACs in Reasi district, a total of seven candidates have filed nominations from 56-Gulabgarh (ST) AC; 10 candidates have filed nominations from 57-Reasi AC; while 7 candidates have filed nominations from 58-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi AC.

In the five ACs in Rajouri district, 11 candidates have filed nominations from 83-Kalakote – Sunderbani AC; 7 from 84-Nowshera AC; 14 from 85-Rajouri (ST) AC; 7 from 86-Budhal (ST) AC; while 8 candidates have filed nomination from 87-Thannamandi (ST) AC.

For the three ACs in Poonch district, a total of 11 candidates have filed nominations from 88-Surankote (ST) AC; 13 from 89-Poonch Haveli AC; while 11 candidates have filed nominations from 90-Mendhar (ST) AC.

In the Kashmir division, for the 2 ACs in Ganderbal district, 6 candidates have filed nominations from 17- Kangan (ST) ACs; while 18 candidates have filed nominations from 18-Ganderbal ACs.

For the 8 ACs in Srinagar district, a total of 18 candidates have filed nomination from 19-Hazratbal AC; 10 from 20-Khanyar AC; 20 from 21-Habbakadal AC; 12 from 22-Lal Chowk AC; 9 from 23-Channapora AC; 15 from 24-Zadibal AC; 15 from 25-Eidgah, AC; while 13 candidates have filed nomination from 26-Central Shalteng AC.

In the five ACs in Budgam district, 12 candidates have filed nominations from 27-Budgam AC; 18 from 28-Beerwah AC; 17 from 29-Khansahib AC; 12 from 30-Charar-I-Sharief AC; while 9 candidates have filed nominations from 31-Chadoora AC.

The notification for the Phase-II was issued on 29 August 2024 and the last date for filing the nominations was today, i.e. 5 September 2024.

The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers on 6 September 2024, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination papers by or before 9 September 2024 in the office of the Returning Officer.

Thereafter, validly nominated candidates will be in the electoral fray.

The polling day for these 26 Assembly constituencies in Phase II is scheduled for September 25, 2024, and the voting will be conducted from 7 AM to 6  PM.

Modi, Yogi, Smriti among 40 star campaigners for BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday released its list of star campaigners for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, which is scheduled to be held on September 25.

The list of star campaigners includes party’s prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The party has also chosen Union Ministers including JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar and G Kishan Reddy.

Along with them, Himachal Pradesh LoP Jai Ram Thakur, Union MoS Jitendra Singh, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, MP Anurag Thakur will also campaign for the party in the second phase of J-K polls.

The list of 40 star campaigners also includes former Amethi MP Smriti Irani.

Meanwhile, 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.

The second phase will be held on September 25, and third on 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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Rahul bats for J&K statehood; slams Centre

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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NC, Cong seal J&K seat-sharing deal

Congress leader KC Venugopal, who was also present, said they will fight together and “form the government” in Jammu and Kashmir…reports Asian Lite News

National Conference will contest 51 of 90 seats and Congress 32 according to the seat-sharing pact reached by the two parties for the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The two parties will also have “friendly contest” on five seats.

The two parties have left one seat each for CPI(M) and Panthers Party.

Making the announcement, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra said the two parties have reached the seat-sharing agreement by understanding “sensitivities of each other”.

He said there was difficulty on some seats and they will have “friendly contest in a disciplined manner”. The seat-sharing pact was declared a day before the last day of filing nominations for the first phase of elections on September 18 for 24 seats.

“National Conference will contest on 51 seats, Congress on 32 and we have agreed to have a friendly but disciplined contest on 5 seats. Over and above these 88 seats, we have left 1 seat for CPI (M) and 1 seat for Panthers Party,” Karra said at a press conference.

Congress leader KC Venugopal, who was also present, said they will fight together and “form the government” in Jammu and Kashmir.

“BJP is trying to destroy the soul of Jammu and Kashmir. Our INDIA alliance’s main objective is to save the soul of Jammu and Kashmir so that is why Congress and National Conference are coming together to make a government in Jammu and Kashmir which will be totally friendly with the people of J-K. We have done a discussion and entered into a formula which our leaders will share now. We will fight together, we will win J-K. We will form the government in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 4. Voting will be held for 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Election Commission, the Union Territory has 88.06 lakh electors.

NC announces first list of 18 candidates

Hours after finalising its seat-sharing deal with the Congress, the National Conference on Monday announced a list of 18 candidates who have been nominated as candidates from the party for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party said in a social media post that party president Farooq Abdullah had approved the nominations.

Contestants from key constituencies include retired Justice Hussnain Masoodi from Pampore, Mohammad Khalil Bandh from Pulwama, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi from Shopian, Gh Mohi-Ud-Din Mir from Rajpora and Khalid Najeeb Soharwardy from Doda.

Additionally, the National Conference (NC) has announced Ghulam Mohi-Ud-Din Mir as the candidate for Rajpora, Showkat Hussain Ganie for Zainpora, Sheikh Mohammad Rafi for Shopian, and former minister Sakina Ittoo for DH Pora, Showkat Hussain Ganie from Zainpora, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad from Devsar, Chowdary Zaffer Ahmad from Larnoo, Abdul Majeed Larmi from Anantnag West, Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri from (Bijbehara), Reyaz Ahmad Khan from Anantnag East, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo from Pahalgam, Mehboob Iqbal from Bhaderwah, Khalid Najeeb Soharwardy from Doda, Arjun Singh Raju from Ramban, Sajad Shaheen from Banihal, Sajad Kichloo from Kishtwar, Pooja Thokur from Pader-Nagsani.

Congress names nine candidates

Meanwhile, The Congress party has announced its first list of nine candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Released late on Monday, the list includes leaders such as Ghulam Ahmad Mir, the party’s general secretary, who will contest from the Dooru constituency. Former state unit chief Vikar Rasool Wani has been fielded from the Banihal seat.

The Congress has also named candidates for other key constituencies: Surinder Singh Channi will contest from Tral, Amanullah Mantoo from Devsar, Peerzada Mohammad Syed from Anantnag, Shaikh Zafarullah from Inderwal, Nadeem Sharief from Bhadarwah, Sheikh Riyaz from Doda, and Pradeep Kumar Bhagat from Doda West.

800 EVMs dispatched

The District Election Authority of Doda successfully dispatched 800 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to three different strong rooms in the Doda district on Monday for the first phase of the 2024 assembly elections, under tight security.

The first phase of polls will be held on September 18.

The District Election Authority in Doda has ensured that the EVMs are securely transported to the strong rooms of the three Assembly constituencies under stringent security measures.

District Election Officer (DEO) of Doda, Harvinder Singh, confirmed that all EVMs have been sent to their respective constituencies, ensuring that the upcoming first phase of the 2024 Assembly elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner.

Singh emphasised the commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process, with all necessary precautions in place for a smooth and transparent election.

There are a total of 160,057 male voters and 150,521 female voters in the three constituencies of Bhaderwah, Doda, and Doda West in the district.

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UN: Simla Agreement Key to Kashmir Dispute

The pact was reached in Shimla between Indira Gandhi, then the prime Minister of India, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s president at that time…reports Asian Lite News

The Simla Agreement of 1972 is also to be noted while finding a final settlement to the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Charter, according to Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

He said, “Our position on Kashmir remains unchanged: That the final settlement of the dispute concerning Jammu and Kashmir is to be reached by peaceful means in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and full respect for human rights.”

“The Secretary-General also recalls the 1972 agreement on bilateral relations between India and Pakistan, also known as the Simla Agreement,” he added.

The pact was reached in Shimla between Indira Gandhi, then the prime Minister of India, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan’s president at that time, in the aftermath of the Bangladesh War of Independence.

The agreement between the two countries stipulated that disputes between the neighbours, including over Kashmir, were bilateral issues to be resolved without the involvement of third parties.

Haq was replying to a question at the daily UN briefing from a Palestinian journalist who alleged that the UN was silent on the “atrocities committed for the past five years” since Article 370 of India’s Constitution that gave Kashmir special status was abrogated on August 5, 2019.

UN’s position “is governed by the Charter of the United Nations and applicable Security Council resolutions”, Haq said.

Security Council Resolution 47 adopted on April 21, 1948, requires the Pakistani government “to secure the withdrawal from the State of Jammu and Kashmir of tribesmen and Pakistani nationals not normally resident therein who have entered the State for the purpose of fighting, and to prevent any intrusion into the State of such elements and any furnishing of material aid to those fighting in the State”.

Although Pakistanis and their supporters cite the Security Council resolution asking for a plebiscite to be held in Kashmir, they ignore the Council’s demand that Pakistan withdraw from the occupied areas.

Under that resolution, Pakistan is also forbidden to aid terrorists in Kashmir.

India maintains that given Pakistan’s failure to abide by the resolution a plebiscite is moot and the people of Kashmir have instead been able to voice their preference through participation in elections there.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

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Congress demands urgent J&K polls, seeks end to bureaucracy rule

Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday that BJP’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’….reports Asian Lite News

 Congress has called for elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the Supreme Court set deadline so that the people can elect their representatives, secure Constitutional rights and put a full stop to the mechanism of being ‘ruled by bureaucracy’.

The party’s national president, Mallikarjun Kharge said on Monday that BJP’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’.

The statement comes on the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. The Centre on this day in 2019 abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into J&K and Ladakh union territories.

Kharge said that the Modi government had claimed that this move would help to fully integrate J&K, boost the economic development of the region and prevent terrorism and separatism. However, the reality is starkly different, he said.

The Congress chief said that since 2019, there have been 683 fatal terror attacks, resulting in the martyrdom of 258 security personnel and the loss of 170 civilian lives. Notably, 25 terror attacks have occurred in the Jammu region since PM Modi’s third oath, claiming the lives of 15 soldiers and injuring 27. Targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits have become a norm in the past few years.

“A staggering 65 per cent of government department posts in Jammu and Kashmir remain vacant since 2019. The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 10 per cent, with an alarming 18.3 per cent youth unemployment rate. Despite the introduction of the New Industrial Policy in 2021, a mere 3 per cent of investments have materialised on the ground. 40 per cent of projects under the PM’s Development Package, 2015, remain pending,” Kharge added.

The congress president said that Jammu & Kashmir’s net state domestic product (NSDP) growth rate has declined from 13.28 per cent (April 2015 – March 2019) to 8.73 per cent post-2019.

“The people of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh yearn for normalcy, a sentiment they conveyed to Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Indian National Congress stands firmly with the people of these regions, which are an integral part of India,” Kharge said.

Article 370 abrogation began era of progress, says PM

Calling the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(A) a “watershed moment” in the nation’s history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the step was a new era of progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

On the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(A), PM Modi said that with abrogation came security, dignity and opportunity for the women, youth, backwards, tribal and marginalised communities.

“Today we mark 5 years since the Parliament of India decided to abrogate Articles 370 and 35(A), a watershed moment in our nation’s history. It was the start of a new era of progress and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” he posted on X.

“It meant that the Constitution of India was implemented in these places in letter and spirit, in line with the vision of the great men and women who made the Constitution. With abrogation came security, dignity and opportunity for the women, youth, backwards, tribal and marginalised communities who were deprived of the fruits of development,” the Prime Minister added.

He further assured the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that the BJP-led central government will keep working for them in the coming times.

“At the same time, it has ensured that corruption, which plagued J-K for decades, has been kept at bay. I assure the people of J&K and Ladakh that our Government will keep working for them and fulfil their aspirations in the coming times,” PM Modi wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday criticised the Centre on the 5th anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and said that the BJP neither respects “Kashmiriyat nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’ (democracy).”

In a post on X, Kharge said, “BJP’s policy on Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh neither respects ‘Kashmiriyat’ nor upholds ‘Jamhuriyat’! The Modi Govt had claimed that this move would help to fully integrate Jammu and Kashmir, boost the economic development of the region, and prevent terrorism and separatism.”

The Congress chief claimed that the “reality is starkly different” and said, “Since 2019, there have been 683 fatal terror attacks, resulting in the martyrdom of 258 security personnel and the loss of 170 civilian lives. Notably, 25 terror attacks have occurred in the Jammu region since PM Modi’s third oath, claiming the lives of 15 soldiers and injuring 27.”

He claimed that “targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits have become a norm” in the past few years.

Kharge further said during Congress’ Bharat Jodo Yatra, the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh conveyed to Rahul Gandhi that they “yearn for normalcy.”

“A staggering 65 per cent of government department posts in Jammu & Kashmir remain vacant since 2019. The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 10 per cent, with an alarming 18.3 per cent youth unemployment rate. Despite the introduction of the New Industrial Policy in 2021, a mere 3 per cent of investments have materialized on the ground. 40 per cent of projects under the PM’s Development Package, 2015, remain pending. Jammu and Kashmir’s net state domestic product (NSDP) growth rate has declined from 13.28 per cent (April 2015- March 2019) to 8.73 per cent post-2019,” he mentioned in his post.

In August 2019, the Centre revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the region into two Union Territories- Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. (ANI)

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Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti concede defeat

Mehbooba Mufti

Dr Jitendra Singh of the BJP established an unassailable lead over his rival, Choudhary Lal Singh of the Congress in Udhampur Lok Sabha seat…reports Asian Lite News

Srinagar, June 4 (IANS) After former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conceded defeat in the Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, another ex-CM, Mehbooba Mufti also accepted defeat in J&K.

While Omar Abdullah conceded defeat to Engineer Rashid of Awami Itihad Party (AIP), Mehbooba Mufti was trailing National Conference (NC) candidate, Mian Altaf Ahmad by a margin of over two lakh votes.

Mehbooba Mufti said on her X-post, “Respecting the verdict of the people I thank my PDP workers & leaders for their hard work & support despite all the odds. My deepest gratitude to the people who voted for me. Winning & losing is part of the game & wont deter us from our path.”

In the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of the NC was comfortably placed against his PDP rival, Waheed Parra. Mehdi was leading by 1,58610 votes.

Jugal Kishore Sharma of the BJP was leading against Raman Bhalla of the Congress in the Jammu Lok Sabha seat.

Dr Jitendra Singh of the BJP established an unassailable lead over his rival, Choudhary Lal Singh of the Congress in Udhampur Lok Sabha seat.

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PDP lives in hearts of people of J&K, says Mehbooba 

The PDP leader backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims that BJP would seek to rewrite the constitution if returned to power…reports Asian Lite News

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) party chief Mehbooba Mufti has alleged that BJP will try to end reservation for weaker sections if it comes back to power and that it is giving benefits to few industrialists.

She said the PDP is in the hearts of the people because it has done work which no other party did in Jammu and Kashmir.

The PDP leader backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims that BJP would seek to rewrite the constitution if returned to power.

“Rahul Gandhi is very much right that the BJP will try to abolish OBC, ST and SC Quota in the near future. BJP is trying to provide benefits to a few people…,” Mehbooba Mufti said during roadshow here.

Addressing a rally on Monday in Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi held a copy of the Indian Constitution and said BJP will attempt to rewrite the Constitution and do away with reservation. He said Congress is committed to safeguarding the Constitution.

Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting Lok Sabha polls from Anantnag-Rajouri seat, said that the PDP continues to resonate with the people due to the work it did while in power.

“The way efforts are being made to erase the identity of Jammu and Kashmir, PDP is the only voice in such a situation that has been raising issues for the past five years,” she said.

She said that National Conference did not hold the hand of friendship extended by the PDP.

Mufti that she stands for uniting and not dividing people of the two regions of the union territory.

She is on a weeklong poll campaign programme in Poonch and Rajouri districts these days. She moved to Poonch town on Saturday after addressing people in the Mendhar and Surankote areas of the district.

She reached Poonch and Rajouri on April 25 by travelling through the Mughal Road that connects the Valley with the Jammu division as an alternative road link.

She told a public meeting, “Irrespective of religion and region, we have to move together and raise a united voice to seek redressal of our issues.

“I am thankful for the warm welcome given to me by the local people including Paharis, Gujjars and Hindus living here.

“I stand to unite people and not to divide them. Everyone is adversely affected when there is a problem and everyone gets benefitted when issues are resolved,” she said.

She asked voters to support her as she is aware of the demands of the people of Poonch which include a medical college, extension of the rail link and completion of the under-construction Parnai hydro-electric project.

She said she had not come to make any false promises but, would be the voice of the people if elected to the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Tuesday decided to defer the polls for the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir from the third phase on May 7 to the sixth and penultimate phase on May 25.

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Festival of democracy returns to J&K

The elections to the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir, barring the Union Territory of Ladakh, which will poll separately on May 20; will be held across five phases, with Udhampur going first today….reports Asian Lite News

Almost five years to the historic abrogation of Article 370, stripping the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional privileges, the Union Territory is taking its first steps towards the restoration of statehood as polling is underway for the five Lok Sabha seats today.

Polling in the UT is happening after suspected terrorists shot dead a migrant worker from Bihar in the Anantnag district, in a reminder of the tag that the erstwhile state is desperate to shed.

However, the polling this time is unlike anything that the erstwhile state had seen in its history, with the UT administration and BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) pushing the narrative of a ‘Naya Kashmir’, highlighting all the work towards the development of public infrastructure over the last few years as well as the surging footfall of tourists.

The elections to the five seats in Jammu and Kashmir, barring the Union Territory of Ladakh, which will poll separately on May 20; will be held across five phases, with Udhampur going first on Friday.

Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah expressed his displeasure over the scheduling of the polls in the erstwhile state, saying it was disheartening that the EC decided not to conduct the parliamentary and assembly polls simultaneously.

“This government is pushing for ‘One Nation, One Election’ and holding state elections and parliamentary elections in four states simultaneously. Why then is Jammu and Kashmir being denied simultaneous general and assembly elections? When every party here is asking for it, why are simultaneous elections not being held here?” the NC patriarch said.

With the historic passing of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 by the Parliament, Article 370, through which a special constitutional status was accorded to the erstwhile state; ceased to exist.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir was split and reorganised into two UTs–Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh–in October 2019.

The BJP has given a fresh ticket to sitting Udhampur MP and Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who has been representing the constituency in the Lok Sabha since 2014 when he defeated then-Congress leader and former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The Congress has fielded Choudhary Lal Singh from Udhampur. Six years after being forced to resign his membership of the party after allegedly leading a rally in favour of the accused in the rape of a minor girl in Kathua, Lal Singh was ushered back into the grand old party.

The Mehbooba Mufti-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is not contesting the Lok Sabha polls in the UT as a partner in the INDIA bloc, has extended their support to the Congress candidate.

As part of the seat-sharing agreement reached between the INDIA bloc partners, the Congress will contest Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh parliamentary constituencies, while the National Conference (NC) will contest the Anantnag-Rajouri, Srinagar and Baramulla Lok Sabha seats.

Addressing a mega rally at Udhampur recently in favour of Jitendra Singh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a huge statement, saying the day isn’t far when full statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir and assembly elections will be held.

Underscoring the ‘change’ that has come to the erstwhile state, PM Modi said for the first time, terrorism and cross-border infiltration wouldn’t be poll issues going into an election in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, prominent Opposition forces in the UT, including the Congress, have alleged suppression of rights by the Centre while demanding the restoration of Article 370 and the special privileges for the erstwhile state that it guaranteed.

Speaking to reporters earlier this week, PDP chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP-led NDA at the Centre of turning the state into an ‘open jail’.

“They (the central government) have converted Jammu and Kashmir into an open jail.

“You must have heard how militants shot at a tourist guide in Shopian recently. It was an unfortunate incident. Thousands of youth from Jammu and Kashmir are being jailed across the country,” she said.

National Conference leader and former CM Omar Abdullah alleged earlier that the BJP’s manifesto was aimed at the ‘destruction’ of the erstwhile state, adding that he still hadn’t lost hope of the restoration of Article 370.

“BJP manifestoes have always brought destruction to Jammu and Kashmir,” the former CM said, adding, “We still haven’t lost hope of restoration of Article 370. There are many like-minded parties such as the DMK and TMC, which are with us on Article 370.”

Earlier, elections to the District Development Councils (DDCs) in Jammu-Kashmir were held in 2020, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party with 74 seats. The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), led by Farooq Abdullah’s National Conference, won 110 seats.

Also, crucially, the elections to the Lok Sabha on Friday will be the first since the passage of two key legislations–the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023–in Parliament.

While the former legislation proposes changes in the constituencies of the UT, the latter provides for reservation in jobs and professional institutions to members of SC, ST, and other socially and educationally backward classes.

The first Bill was drafted after redrawing the boundaries of Anantnag and Jammu Lok Sabha seats. The Pir Panjal region, which comprises Poonch and Rajouri, was previously a part of the Jammu seat but has now been added to the Anantnag seat in Kashmir. Similarly, another region in Srinagar constituency has now been made a part of the Baramulla constituency.

In the 2019 elections, the BJP won three seats while the National Conference won the remaining three. (ANI)

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-Top News Defence India News

Security Beefed Up in Jammu Ahead of R-Day

Authorities are on high alert, and security forces have increased vehicle checks at vulnerable and critical points across the Jammu division to prevent any further incidents….reports Asian Lite News

In anticipation of Republic Day in Jammu and Kashmir, security measures have been heightened, and vehicle inspections increased throughout the Jammu division. This comes in the aftermath of a suspected terrorist attack on an army convoy in Poonch district. Reports indicate that extensive search operations are ongoing in the Poonch sector following the assault on the Commanding Officer’s convoy in the Krishna Ghati area on Friday. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and a joint search operation by army troops and J&K Police is in progress.

A significant focus has been placed on apprehending the attackers, with intelligence agencies actively working to identify their motives and identity. The incident has prompted heightened concerns about the overall security situation in the region. Authorities are on high alert, and security forces have increased vehicle checks at vulnerable and critical points across the Jammu division to prevent any further incidents.

Local communities have been urged to stay vigilant and collaborate with authorities by providing any relevant information to aid the ongoing investigation. Additionally, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, General Officer Corps (GOC) White Knight Corps, briefed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the current situation during a meeting at Rajbhavan Jammu.

Meanwhile, General Commanding Officer (GoC) of army’s 15 Corps, Lt general Rajiv Ghai said on Tuesday that the situation on ground is good, though the security forces have still some distance to cover to move forward.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of the inauguration of general Bipin Rawat stadium in Baramulla town, the GoC said, “The situation is good, though the security forces still have some distance to cover to move forward.”

He said that today is a big day and a proud moment for J&K and the entire country that a stadium was being named after late general Bipin Rawat.

He said late general Bipin Rawat had special place in the hearts of the people of Kashmir in addition to serving here as the head of the 29 infantry division.

Lt general Rajiv Ghai said that the youth of Kashmir have a bright and promising future ahead of them and they must utilise their energy to move forward in life.

The GoC said that the army is working in close cooperation with the civil administration to control drug smuggling from across the border.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande said that due to the continuous efforts of the Indian Army and the government, success has been achieved in controlling the situation in the state of Manipur.

Addressing the people on the 76th Army Day, General Manoj Pande said that due to peace talks with local insurgent groups, there has been positive development in the North-East region.

“There have been important peace agreements and peace talks with local insurgent groups in the North-East in the last few years. As a result of which there has been positive development in this area. Government policies have played an important role in restoring peace. In Manipur, due to the activeness of the government and the efforts of the Indian Army, success is being achieved in controlling the situation. In this difficult environment of sensitivity, our soldiers have played an important role in reducing the damage by working with patience and talent,” he said.

“Concrete efforts are going on towards establishing peace in Manipur,” he added.

He further said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on the western borders is under control. But in the last few months, an increase in terrorist activities has been seen in many areas.

“Our priority is to strengthen the modern infrastructure with the cooperation of other agencies. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir on the western borders is under control. But in the last few months, an increase in terrorist activities has been seen in some areas. There is a ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) but it is clear from the infiltration attempts that terrorism still exists across the border,” the COAS said.

General Manoj Pande added that our army is fully prepared and capable to deal with any challenge and have taken many concrete steps to develop our capabilities on the northern borders. Currently, through the principles of emergency procurement, we have imported modern equipment, including weapons equipped with new technology. Special grants have been given towards developing critical infrastructure in border areas.

“In the past, the Indian Army has faced all security challenges with determination and commitment. I am proud that each of our soldiers has fulfilled his responsibility, be it security of borders, deployment in difficult areas and challenging weather. Our army is fully prepared and capable to deal with any challenge. Our army has foiled the infiltration attempts with full vigilance. As a result of continuous efforts by the security forces in the areas of Jammu and Kashmir, there has been a significant reduction in violence. We, together with all the stakeholders, are working determinedly to root out terrorism from the country,” he said.

Airspace Curbs Issued in Delhi on Jan. 26

Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Tuesday issued airspace restriction for 11 days in view of preparation for Republic Day celebrations.

The officials said that these restrictions will start January 19 but will not disrupt the schedules of regular flights.

However, there will be specific limitations on non-scheduled flights of both scheduled airlines and chartered flights. During the period from January 19 to 25, the landing or take-off of such flights will not be permitted from 10 am to 1:15 pm.

According to the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), these restrictions will be in effect from 6 am to 9 pm during the period from January 26 to 29.

“From January 19 to 25, from 10 hrs to 1315 hrs, no landing/take off permitted for non- scheduled flights of scheduled airlines and GA flights,” read the notice.

“From January 26 to 29 from 0600 hrs to 2100 hrs, no landing/take off permitted for non- scheduled flights of scheduled airlines and GA flights,” the notice further stated.

It said that there will be no impact of NOTAM on IAF, BSF, ARMY Aviation helicopters while aircraft/helicopters can fly with the governor/chief minister of state.

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India News Jammu & Kashmir Travel & Tourism

Gulmarg Gondola: 1M Visitors, Rs. 108 Cr!


This marks a notable improvement from the previous year’s statistics, with revenue reaching Rs. 91 crore and 8.50 lakh tourist rides in 2022….reports Asian Lite News


The Gulmarg Gondola, a standout feature in Kashmir tourism, is thriving in terms of both revenue and the volume of transported tourists.

“In 2023, more than a million tourists enjoyed the rides of the gondolas enabling the J&K Cable Car Corporation to earn revenue of more than Rs. 108 crore during the last calendar year,” an official statement said.

“This is encouragingly higher than the figure of the previous year (2022) which stood at Rs. 91 crore as revenue and 8.50 lakh tourist rides. What is more, tourists describe the experience as surreal and alluring,” the statement by the J&K Cable Car Corporation which runs and manages the Gulmarg Gondola, said.

“Besides the enhanced revenue and visitor trips, the corporation, during the last year, improved and enhanced the service delivery by improving the ticket issuing mechanism, undertaking several safety tests and overhauled the second phase of the Gondola with latest technology,” the statement added.

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