Jammu And Kashmir Politics

Engineer Rashid's AIP, ex-JEI members join hands for J&K Assembly polls

In a significant political development, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) headed by Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid alias Engineer and former members of Jamaat-e-Islami (JEI) have come together in a strategic alliance for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls. "A joint meeting was held today in which the AIP delegation was led by AIP Supremo and chief spokesperson Inam Un Nabi, while the JEI delegation was led by Ghulam Qadir Wani. Prominent JEI members participated in the discussions," the AIP said in a statement. Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir was banned by the Union Home Ministry in 2019. The ban was extended for another five years in February this year. Several influential leaders of Jamaat are contesting assembly polls as independent candidates. An AIP spokesperson said the two sides agreed to work together in the larger interest of the region's population. The goal is to secure a resounding victory for AIP and JEI candidates, ensuring that the people of Jammu and Kashmir .

Cong to release its J&K poll manifesto within two days: Bharat Solanki

The Congress would release its manifesto for Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections within two days, senior leader Bharat Singh Solanki said on Sunday while terming the BJP's poll promises "hollow". Exuding confidence that the Congress-National Conference alliance would come to power in Jammu and Kashmir, he hit out at the BJP, saying it failed to wipe out terrorism, ensure the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri pandits and generate employment for the local youth. The Congress' Jammu and Kashmir affairs in charge said a common minimum programme (CMP) would be chalked out by the coalition partners after government formation to ensure peace, prosperity and development in the region. "The (Congress) manifesto is ready and will be announced within two days before the first phase of elections. Our manifesto will not be based on 'jumlas', and we will ensure its implementation," Solanki told reporters here. Jammu and Kashmir goes to polls in three phases -- September 18, September 25 and

Farooq Abdullah hits back at PM, says misleading people against alliance

Former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "misleading" the nation by claiming that terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir will rise again if the National Conference-Congress alliance came to power in the Union territory. "I want to ask the PM that their government has been ruling for the past five years since the abrogation of Article 370. They used to say that Article 370 is responsible for terrorism here but today there is no Article 370. Where did this terrorism come from?" the NC leader said. "Where are these guns coming from which are killing civilians and martyring the soldiers. Today, it is not our government. Let him answer this," Abdullah told reporters while campaigning for party candidate Omar Abdullah in Ganderbal assembly segment. His remarks came a day after PM Modi cautioned the people against bringing the NC, Congress and the PDP back to power, alleging their policies had prepared the ground for terrorism, stifled young leadership

Focus on deteriorating security condition in J&K: Omar to PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi should focus on the "deteriorating" security situation in Jammu and Kashmir instead of raising the bogey of dynastic politics, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said on Saturday. Addressing an election rally in the Doda district in support of BJP candidates earlier in the day, Modi said political dynasties in Jammu and Kashmir have destroyed the region and not allowed new leadership to grow. Hitting back at Modi, the NC leader said the BJP has no qualms in forming alliances with these parties and questioned the prime minister's silence over the death of two army soldiers in an encounter in Kishtawar. "The PM made a speech in Doda... It has not been 24 hours since the attack (in Kishtwar) in which two brave army soldiers lost their lives while an encounter is going on in north Kashmir "He talks about dynasties to mislead people. He should have talked about the present situation," Abdullah told reporters in south Kashmir's Kulgam district.

J-K Assembly polls: Nominations of 37 candidates for third phase rejected

Nominations of 37 candidates were rejected during Friday's scrutiny of papers of hopefuls from 40 constituencies that will go to the polls in the last phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, officials said. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is September 16. These seats will go to the polls on October 1. The nomination papers of candidates from 40 assembly constituencies going to the polls in the third and final phase were scrutinised in the offices of the respective returning officers of the seven districts. During the scrutiny, the candidatures of 449 were found valid, the officials said. There are 113 candidates in Jammu district, 107 in Baramulla, 75 in Kupwara, 46 in Bandipora, 38 in Kathua, 38 in Udhampur and 32 in Samba. According to the election notification, the candidates can withdraw their nominations from the offices of the respective returning officers by September 16. The three-phase elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly wil

'I might be from the Mufti family but will have to earn my respect here'

"People now understand that their vote is going to be important; it's only politicians and parties who Are going to solve their problems," Iltija Mufti, PDP candidate in J&K Assembly elections

J&K polls: PDP can counter BJP's threat to state's identity, says Mufti

Jammu and Kashmir is set to hold its first assembly elections in ten years, with voting scheduled in three phases across 90 constituencies on September 18, 25, and October 1

Upcoming assembly polls first in 'secular J-K', says Sudhanshu Trivedi

The upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are historic as they are the first since the region "became secular", BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said on Thursday. He emphasised that these elections represented a choice between nationalist and anti-national forces. "In these assembly elections, people must choose between those promising peace and development and those promising death and destruction," Trivedi told reporters. After the 42nd amendment to the Indian Constitution, Jammu and Kashmir adopted a six-year term for its assembly but did not explicitly include the word 'secular' in its constitution, he alleged. "At that time, Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution. After the abrogation of Article 370, there is now a unified Constitution," he said. He also claimed these were the first elections in Jammu and Kashmir after Other Backward Classes (OBCs) received reservation. Trivedi said, "These elections are significant as they are the first after Jammu

Terror funding accused Kashmir MP Rashid Engineer gets bail: Who is he?

Lok Sabha MP Rashid Engineer reached Srinagar on Thursday after getting an interim bail. In his first comments, he vowed to fight for justice while targeting the BJP over the abrogation of Article 370

'Durbar Move' returns to spotlight as Jammu and Kashmir elections near

Although the Durbar Move has its proponents, it has faced increasing criticism since the late 1980s, mainly due to the significant costs and time it demands

Borders fully secure; will not allow terrorists to disturb J-K polls: BSF

Counter-infiltration measures have been put in place along the borders to ensure that terrorists don't infiltrate and disturb the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a top BSF officer said on Tuesday. Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF), Jammu frontier, D K Boora was speaking to reporters in Bhaderwah area of Doda district which along with six other districts covering a total of 24 assembly segments in south Kashmir and Chenab valley region of Jammu is going to polls in the first phase on September 18. The borders are completely secure as the BSF in coordination with sister agencies, including police, have taken all necessary counter-infiltration measures. I want to assure everyone that no such activity (infiltration of terrorists from across the border) will be allowed during the election process, the BSF officer said. He said the BSF is capable of dealing with any situation and will play its role in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections. The BSF is an

J&K elections: Omar, Karra, Raina among 239 candidates in fray for phase 2

A total of 239 candidates are in the fray from the 26 constituencies going to polls in the second phase of the three-phase Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections as 27 nominations were withdrawn on Monday. Monday was the last day of the withdrawal of nomination papers for the second phase covering assembly segments spread across central Kashmir districts of Budgam, Srinagar and Ganderbal, and Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu region. Prominent among those in the fray for these seats are National Conference leader Omar Abdullah who is contesting from two seats, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hamid Karra, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina and jailed separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati. According to a statement issued by the office of chief electoral officer, J&K, 27 candidates withdrew their candidature in the office of respective returning officers across six districts, leaving 239 candidates in the poll fray. The highest nine candidates ...

J&K Assembly elections: Valley's first-time voters waiting for a new dawn

For young voters in the Valley where Assembly elections are being held after a decade, it's a chance to prioritise issues like unemployment and education. Here's a ground report by Sarthak Choudhury

Many Kashmiri Pandit bodies to avoid J&K polls over 'genocide denial'

As the polling dates for the maiden Assembly polls after abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir draws near, several organisations of the Kashmiri Pandit community has decided to refrain from the electoral process in the Union Territory over persistent denial of their genocide. The decision to abstain from the polling was taken at Kashmiri pandit citizens meet held here in the light of the Assembly elections scheduled to take place in three phases on September 18, 25 and October 1. The event, attended by a significant number of Kashmiri Pandit leaders, focused on the ethical and political dilemma of participating in an election that "continues to disregard the community's demand for recognition of their genocide" and the resultant "forced exodus" from their homeland. For decades now, we have been a community in exile, watching as successive governments and political parties utilise our exodus and our suffering as talking points during elections. Yet, when it comes to addressi

Can't forecast what will follow J&K polls: Karra on National Conference CM

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said the assembly polls are not just about forming a government or adjusting leaders in the dispensation but about "restoration of statehood and powers of the assembly" as well as "our lost dignity". Karra was also non-committal on whether the chief minister would be from the National Conference (NC) in case the Congress-NC alliance wins the polls, saying "we can't forecast things that have to follow after the elections". In an interview with PTI, Karra exuded confidence that the Congress-NC combine would form the government crossing the magic mark in the 90-member assembly and the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP would not be able to hamper their chances much. The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief also asserted that the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) is a "closed case" and "doesn't have a future". "I have been on record to say that as far as DPAP is concerned, it is a closed case no

Congress was not good for NC in J&K till Mufti Sayeed made it so: Mehbooba

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said the National Conference forged an alliance with Congress, its nemesis, in the 1980s, only after her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed turned the national party into a viable option in the valley. Addressing an election rally in Kokernag assembly segment of Anantnag district, Mufti recalled the time when the National Conference enforced a social boycott of Congress workers in Jammu and Kashmir. "There was a social boycott. Daughters of (some) Congress workers were divorced ... The barber would not provide his service to Congress workers. But Mufti Mohammad Sayeed organised the party and Congress protested against the rising corruption. Six people were martyred when Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister," she said. "When Farooq Abdullah realised that Congress is becoming a viable option and will take part in the National Conference, he put Congress in his pocket (through an alliance) and it is struggling to come out of it till date," she ..

BJP releases sixth list of 10 candidates for J&K Assembly elections

The BJP on Sunday released a list of 10 candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls, fielding RS Pathania from Udhampur East and Naseer Ahmad Lone from Bandipora. The three-phase elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. According to the BJP's sixth candidates' list, Faqir Mohammad Khan will contest from the Gurez Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved seat, Abdul Rasheed Khan from Sonawari and Ghulam Mohammad Mir from Handwara. Bharat Bhushan will contest the election from Kathua, Rajeev Bhagat from Bishnah and Surinder Bhagat from Marh. These three assembly seats are reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC). The BJP has named Vikram Randhawa as its candidate from the Bahu assembly seat.

No separate yardstick for separatists joining J-K polls: Jitendra Singh

With some separatists contesting in Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said asserted those who decide to join the national mainstream cannot be deprived of this democratic opportunity. He also said the alliance between the National Conference and the Congress is just for the sake of power and it has nothing to do with national interest. If any separatist has decided to join the national mainstream by fighting elections, should he be deprived of this democratic opportunity? "(NC founder Sheikh) Abdullah after spending 12 years in prison came out the same way and became the chief minister. We cannot have two different yardsticks, Singh, the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, told reporters here while replying to queries on separatists entering the electoral fray. On former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah's claim that the BJP has struck a deal with some regional parties and independents ...

More women registered to vote in J&K Assembly elections compared to men

Women voters outnumber men in the eight assembly segments of Srinagar district that are scheduled to go to polls on September 25 in the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said here. Of the 7,74,462 registered voters, 3,87,778 are female while 3,86,654 are male and 30 people have registered themselves under the third gender category, they said. Women outnumber men in six of the eight assembly constituencies with Central Shalteng and Eidgah segments being the exceptions. "To facilitate the voters for smooth and hassle free electoral participation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 932 polling stations, of which 885 are urban polling stations while 47 are rural polling stations," an official spokesperson of the district administration said. Among the eight assembly constituencies of the district, Zadibal segment has the highest number of 1,12,864 registered electorate, comprising 56,408 males and 56,451 females and five transgender voters. Th

NC leader accused of inciting hate during rally, faces police action

Authorities here have recommended filing a case against a National Conference leader for allegedly inciting hatred at an election rally of party leader Omar Abdullah in the Ganderbal segment of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday. Nodal officer, Model Code of Conduct, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani recommended registering an FIR against Mohammad Ashraf Ganaie, former sarpanch, for using the term "assassination" during an election speech at Kachan in Ganderbal. "Given the gravity of the situation, it is recommended that stringent action be taken against the said person. An FIR should be lodged against the culprit under the applicable laws for promoting hatred through his speech and violating the model code of conduct," the nodal officer said in the letter to the concerned official. Ganaie, during an election rally where Abdullah was present, said "We can kill" anyone for disrespecting the party flag. In a video, which formed the basis of the complaint, Ganaie was, however, promptly stopped by ...