Final Phase of Jammu and Kashmir Elections Concludes with High-Profile Campaigns
The intense campaigning for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections ended on Sunday evening. Voting is set to take place for 40 constituencies, with 24 in the Jammu division and the rest in Kashmir. This election is significant as it is the first in a decade and the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The election features a multi-cornered contest for 90 seats. The National Conference (NC) and Congress are in an alliance, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are also major contenders. Key issues debated during the campaign include Pakistan, Article 370, terrorism, and reservation.
High-Profile Leaders on the Ground
Prominent leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti have been actively campaigning. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that these elections are a testament to India’s democracy and criticized Pakistan for its involvement in terrorist activities in Kashmir.
Prime Minister Modi’s Rally
Prime Minister Modi, during his rally in Jammu, highlighted the 2016 surgical strikes and the government’s strong response to threats. He spoke about the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) launched in 2015 for Jammu and Kashmir.
Controversy Surrounding Mehbooba Mufti
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti canceled her campaign in solidarity with the martyrs of Lebanon and Gaza, which led to criticism from BJP leaders. They accused her of supporting terrorists and ignoring issues faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
Polling and Security Arrangements
Voting will cover 40 Assembly segments across seven districts. Kathua Dy Election Officer Nagesh Singh confirmed that polling parties have been dispatched, and security measures are in place to ensure free and fair elections.
BJP Suspends Leaders
The BJP suspended three leaders for anti-party activities ahead of the third phase of polling. The leaders are Amit Sharma, Prakshit Singh, and Swarn Singh Rathore.
Congress President’s Health Scare
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge felt unwell during a rally but later reassured the crowd of his well-being. He emphasized the fight to restore statehood and his commitment to political change.
Security Review
IGP Kashmir VK Birdi chaired a meeting to review the law and order situation, emphasizing the need for meticulous planning and monitoring to prevent any disturbances.
The first phase of polling was held on September 18, the second on September 25, and the final phase is scheduled for October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8. Voter turnout was 61% in the first phase and 57.31% in the second phase.
Doubts Revealed
Jammu and Kashmir -: Jammu and Kashmir is a region in northern India. It used to be a state but is now a Union Territory.
Assembly elections -: Assembly elections are when people vote to choose their local leaders who will make decisions for their area.
Article 370 -: Article 370 was a special law that gave Jammu and Kashmir more independence than other parts of India. It was removed in 2019.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India.
Congress -: Congress is another major political party in India, also known as the Indian National Congress.
NC -: NC stands for National Conference, a political party mainly active in Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP -: PDP stands for People’s Democratic Party, another political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
PM Modi -: PM Modi is Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India.
Rajnath Singh -: Rajnath Singh is a senior leader in the BJP and the current Defence Minister of India.
Constituencies -: Constituencies are areas that elect one representative to the Assembly.
Terrorism -: Terrorism is when people use violence to create fear and achieve political goals.
Security measures -: Security measures are actions taken to keep people safe, like having more police around during elections.
