Page 7 - Jammu And Kashmir Politics

J-K Assembly elections: Voting underway for third and final phase of polls

Voting commenced on Tuesday for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, covering 40 seats across seven districts, including the winter capital Jammu. More than 39.18 lakh eligible voters are set to decide the electoral fate of 415 candidates, including two former deputy chief ministers Tara Chand and Muzaffar Baig. The election will witness West Pakistani refugees, the Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community exercise their franchise, having gained voting rights for the first assembly polls following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. They previously participated in the Block Development Council and the District Development Council polls of 2019 and 2020, respectively. Polling began at 7 am in 16 assembly segments in three border districts of north Kashmir amid tight security. The assembly segments in the region going to the polls are Baramulla, Uri, Rafiabad, Pattan, Gulmarg, Sopore, and Wagoora-Kreeri (Baramulla district), Kupwara, Karnah, Trehgam,

Jammu-Kashmir elections: Afzal Guru's brother, 2 ex-Deputy CMs in race

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: The final phase of polls is underway with over 400 candidates. A multi-party contest is unfolding in the region, marking the first Assembly polls since 2014

4 seats in Udhampur to see cornered contest, rebels pose challenge to BJP

Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, which comprises four assembly constituencies, is set to witness a fierce multi-cornered contest between the BJP, the Congress, and J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP). The four assembly seats in the district include Udhampur West, Udhampur East, Chenani, and Ramnagar which is a reserved constituency. While BJP candidate and former minister Pawan Kumar Gupta is fighting to retain the traditional Udhampur West seat that his family has won three times in nine elections, party candidate and former MLA R S Pathania is facing rebellion from Pawan Khajuria and Balwan Singh as independents to win the new Udhampur East seat. The Chenani constituency has become a hotbed of family rivalry, with cousins Balwant Singh Mankotia, a two-time former MLA and BJP candidate, and Harshdev Singh, a prominent JKNPP leader and three-time MLA from Ramnagar, vying for the seat. In Udhampur West, Gupta is facing a two-front battle against Congress nominee Sumeet ...

Seizures worth Rs 130 cr made during J&K polls: Chief Electoral Officer

A total of 1,263 violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) were reported and cash and other materials worth Rs 130 crore were seized during the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, according to poll officials. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole said that the police department has made the highest seizure at Rs 107.50 crore. Out of the total 1,263 MCC violations reported till date, 600 stand closed after enquiry and taking appropriate action, he said. He said 364 complaints are under investigation which too will be disposed of soon besides notices have been issued to 115 candidates, political parties, media houses and others for alleged MCC violations. Taking stern action against illegal activities involving drugs, cash and liquor, the enforcement agencies have registered 32 FIRs, the CEO said. "Seizures worth a total of Rs 130 crore have been made by different enforcement agencies in J-K during ongoing assembly elections 2024 till now," Pole said. Giving detai

In J&K Assembly elections, welfare promises face a fiscal reality check

Irrespective of who wins the elections, the region's ability to generate its own tax revenue to finance such poll promises may pose a challenge

Pilot slams BJP's 'PoK pitch' as 'rhetoric'; ploy to divert attention

Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Sunday slammed as "election rhetoric" the BJP's recent 'PoK will be part of Jammu and Kashmir' pitch and asked what stopped it from taking steps to realise that goal when it had a full majority government for 10 years. The Congress general secretary, who has been campaigning extensively for the current round of assembly polls, also exuded confidence that the Congress may break all previous records to get a larger number of seats than ever before in Haryana. In an interview with PTI, Pilot said the Congress could get more than a two-thirds majority in Haryana and claimed the top BJP leadership was showing a lack of interest in campaigning, having sensed the reality on the ground. He said despite attempts by many forces to create a sense of confusion in the Kashmir Valley and in Jammu, the Congress-National Conference's collective campaign will ensure they form a government with a comfortable majority. Asked about Yogi Adityanath's remarks last week th

BJP using J&K as pawn to stir nation, Cong will restore statehood: Priyanka

The Congress will restore Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Saturday while she slammed the BJP for using the Union territory as a pawn to "stir emotions" elsewhere in the country. Gandhi, the Congress's national general secretary, also criticised Lt Governor Manoj Sinha saying the current administration was a "puppet" government being run with a remote control. "The Congress party has a vision for you and for Jammu and Kashmir. We want to restore your state's status. If our government comes to power, we will immediately restore your statehood. We will also revive the tradition of the Darbar Move," Vadra told a public rally here. Darbar Move refers to the bi-annual shift of government offices, including the secretariat, between Jammu and Srinagar in view of the harsh winter in J-K. "We want to protect your rights, your rights to your land and your employment," said Gandhi while speaking in support of the party candidate in Bishnah, Neeraj ...

J&K polls: Afzal Guru's brother looks to win Sopore with jobs, development

Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's brother Aijaz Ahmed Guroo, who is fighting the Jammu and Kashmir polls from Sopore on development and employment plank, said the challenges faced by the assembly segment mirror the broader problems of the Union Territory. With a promise to uplift the area and create job opportunities for the youth, Guroo is determined to carve out a distinct political identity, separate from his brother's controversial legacy. "The vision of my brother was different and mine is different," he said in an interview with PTI Videos while emphasising that his focus is on development rather than separatist ideologies. Afzal Guru was hanged in Tihar jail on February 9, 2013, for plotting the December 2001 attack on Parliament. Aijaz Ahmed Guroo, an Independent candidate who did not complete his matriculation, expressed his commitment to upholding the Constitution and addressing the pressing concerns of Sopore. The region has suffered years of neglect, he said. Once

Beware of people sent by Delhi, reject 'devils': Farooq Abdullah to voters

Ahead of the final phase of voting in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah urged voters to prioritise their honour and dignity by rejecting candidates whom he described as "devils in disguise" and "sent by Delhi". The third and final phase of the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held on October 1. As many as 40 seats -- 24 in the Jammu region and 16 in Kashmir -- will go to polls in this phase. Speaking about the prospects of the National Conference-Congress alliance in the polls, Abdullah exuded confidence that it would secure a majority in the 90-member assembly and emphasised the BJP would not gain power in the Union territory. With the high-pitch campaigning for the last leg of polling set to end on Sunday evening, the NC chief made a passionate appeal to the people, asking them to make a thoughtful decision while casting their votes. He emphasised the importance of voting for a better future and highlighted the need for

J&K Assembly polls: Second phase of polling witnesses over 56% turnout

The second phase of polling in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections saw a voter turnout of over 56 per cent on Wednesday, with the democratic exercise passing off peacefully amid tight security. While there was significant participation in key constituencies in 26 seats spread over six districts with long queues of voters at polling stations since early morning, 20 of these segments recorded a marginally lower turnout than in the 2014 assembly elections, when the overall voting was 60 per cent. The first phase of polling, held on September 18, saw an estimated 61.38 per cent voter turnout, while the final phase is set to take place on October 1 in the crucial elections being held after 10 years. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer P.K. Pole announced a preliminary turnout figure of 56.05 per cent, stating that it might change as polling continued in some areas, including Hazratbal and Reasi. He emphasised that the election proceeded smoothly, with only minor incidents ...

Rahul Gandhi promises economic development, jobs in J&K's Dogri Dham event

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday engaged with over 300 business owners and professionals from across Jammu and Kashmir and promised them of giving utmost importance to economic development and job creation in the Union Territory. Gandhi referred to the event at a public rally here and said until the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) get a boost, there will be no employment avenues in J&K. Addressing the concerns at the 'Dogri Dham with RG' event hosted by the All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC) here, Gandhi promised that a Congress-led government in Jammu and Kashmir will prioritise economic development and job creation. "He promised to ensure that the to-be-formed Congress alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir will give utmost importance to economic development and job creation in the state," an AIPC statement said. He outlined several key policy proposals aimed at boosting the local economy, including improved access to capital for ...

Jammu-Kashmir elections: 24% voter turnout so far, Reasi district leads

The second phase of polling for the Jammu-Kashmir Assembly elections is underway, with 24.10% turnout reported till 1 am. Reasi leads at 33.39%, while Srinagar lags at 11.67%

J-K polls update: Vaishno Devi seat heads to its inaugural election

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections: The second phase is being held with 239 candidates across 26 constituencies. Key battles feature Omar Abdullah and BJP's Ravinder Raina

J-K polls: Tight security in Rajouri ahead of Phase 2 on Sept 25. Details

J&K Assembly elections: The first voting phase ended on September 18; the second and third phases are on September 25 and October 1, respectively, with vote counting on October 8

J-K polls: Rich candidates galore across political spectrum, says ADR

The average of assets per candidate is Rs 3.65 crore. In the 2014 Assembly polls, the average asset per candidate (a total of 831 candidates) was Rs. 1.93 crore

Will be your voice in parliament, restore statehood: Rahul Gandhi in J&K

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised to be the voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, reiterating the Congress party's commitment to put pressure on the BJP-ruled Centre to restore J-K's statehood. "Whenever you need me, you just have to give me an order and I will be present before you. I will raise your issues in Parliament. You know the special relationship I have with you. I do not have to even mention it," Gandhi told an election rally in the Zainakote area on the city's outskirts. "I will be your voice in parliament," he told the gathering. Gandhi said the biggest issue for the people of J-K is the restoration of the statehood. "We guarantee that it will be restored. If the BJP does not give it you (after elections), we will ensure that it is restored." The Congress leader said downgrading J-K into a Union Territory was an injustice done to the people of J-K. "Your democratic right has been snatched by downgrading the state i

J&K startups hope for internet friendly environment post elections

While a Supreme Court ruling in January 2020 curtailed the length of shutdowns, the fallout continues to reverberate through the entrepreneurial landscape

Ganderbal prestige battle for Omar Abdullah; faces tough fight from PDP

National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah is facing a battle of prestige in his bid to reclaim the Ganderbal Assembly segment, considered a family bastion that was represented by his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah, father Farooq Abdullah and himself in the past. Having lost the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Baramulla constituency, the former chief minister is leaving nothing to chance and has filed his nomination from both Ganderbal and Budgam seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls. The importance that Abdullah is according to his re-election from Ganderbal, which he represented during his tenure as chief minister, can be gauged from the fact that made a emotional appeal from the people when he filed his nomination. Addressing a workers' meeting at the party office in Ganderbal, the NC vice president took off his cap and held it in his palms urging people to vote for him as his "honour lay in their hands". The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister's sons, Zahir and Zam

BJP wants to weaken unity, divide India, deceive public: Farooq Abdullah

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance of attempting to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir by seeking release of separatists and terrorist sympathisers

Amit Shah woos tribals of Poonch, Rajouri during campaign trail in J&K

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Saturday that the tribals of Rajouri and Poonch are defenders of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire country was proud of them, as he slammed rival parties -- Congress, NC and PDP -- for giving "stepmotherly treatment" to these marginalised communities. Seeking support of the Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis for the ongoing assembly elections, Shah urged them to "cover the hills with lotuses (BJP's poll symbol)" and end the "monarchy" of the Gandhis, Abdullahs and Muftis, who he claimed have kept the Pir Panjal region underdeveloped for the last 75 years. Addressing four rallies on Saturday, starting in Mendhar (Poonch) followed by Thanamandi and Rajouri, Shah attacked the National Conference (NC) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress, saying the three parties have enabled the spread of terrorism in J-K since the 1990s. "People here say that the Army and security forces are protecting them. But when you go to Gujarat, Maharashtra, or Bengal,