JKPC Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone Says Party Will Contest Alone in Jammu and Kashmir Elections

Handwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 1: Sajjad Gani Lone, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), announced that his party will contest the upcoming elections independently. He mentioned that they faced issues in previous alliances and prefer to go alone this time.

Lone stated, “We do not go into the number game. But I think it will be good…We are equidistant from all parties, we faced issues in alliances last time as well. So, we are on our own. We want to contest alone.”

He also expressed support for the restoration of Article 370 and 35A, aligning with the local public’s voice. Lone cast his vote at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Handwara during the third and final phase of the assembly polls.

The third phase of the elections recorded a 65.08% voter turnout by 5 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. Specific turnout percentages included Bandipora at 63.33%, Baramulla at 55.73%, Jammu at 66.79%, Kathua at 70.53%, Kupwara at 62.76%, Samba at 72.41%, and Udhampur at 72.91%.

Voting took place in 24 constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 constituencies in Kashmir, with strong security measures to ensure smooth and peaceful polls. The first phase saw a 61.13% turnout, while the second phase had a 57.31% turnout.

These elections are the first in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. High-profile leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and former J-K chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, campaigned extensively.

The National Conference (NC) and the Congress have formed an alliance for these elections, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are among the other major contenders. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.