Mallikarjun Kharge and PM Modi Urge Jammu and Kashmir to Vote in Crucial Elections

Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday appealed to the people in Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the crucial election and be the catalysts for change as the first phase of polling began in the region.

In a post on X, Kharge said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are eager to safeguard their rights and embark on a new era of true development and full statehood. He urged everyone to exercise their democratic right and vote in large numbers, emphasizing that every single vote holds the power to shape the future and bring about an era of peace, stability, justice, progress, and economic empowerment. He especially appealed to first-time voters to participate in this crucial election.

Kharge also reminded voters that Jammu and Kashmir was downgraded to a Union Territory and urged them to remember who was responsible for this when casting their votes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to voters in the constituencies to vote in large numbers and strengthen the festival of democracy. He particularly called upon young and first-time voters to exercise their franchise.

Polling for the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections began at 7 am today amid tight security arrangements. The voting will conclude at 6 pm. Long queues of voters were seen at polling stations from the morning. In the first phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory are voting today, including 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Vote counting will be held on October 8.