Election Campaign intensifies for Assembly Polls in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana

Campaigning is in full swing for the first phase of Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir. 24 assembly constituencies will go to polls in this phase on the 18th of September. Top leaders of major political parties are leaving no stone unturned to woo the voters.

Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will address an election rally in Doda district today. The Congress and National Conference are also campaigning for their party candidates. Jammu and Kashmir BJP Chief Spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, addressed a press conference in Jammu yesterday. He accused the National Conference and Congress of bringing gun culture to Kashmir and promoting separatism and terrorism. He said these two parties have now again come together to bring destruction to Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr. Sethi said in these elections, only the BJP is talking about the development, peace, and welfare of the people, while other parties are only speaking about bringing back Article 370. He further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi established peace in the Union Territory and ensured all-round development in Jammu and Kashmir. He said Mr. Modi has a vision and roadmap to make Jammu and Kashmir the most developed region of the country.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chairman, Ghulam Nabi Azad, addressed three public gatherings at Dooru, Qazigund, and Devsar in South Kashmir yesterday. Speaking at the rallies, Mr. Azad strongly asserted his



commitment to protect the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. On the occasion, he announced his intention to introduce a law in the Assembly that would ensure the security of jobs and land for the residents of the region.

Polling in the Union Territory is being held in three phases. Voting for the second phase will take place on the 25th of September and for the third phase on the 1st of October. Meanwhile, after the scrutiny of nomination papers for the final phase of assembly polls yesterday, the candidature of 449 contestants was found valid. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is the 17th of September.

The election campaign has also picked up pace for single-phase assembly polls in Haryana. Prime Minister and senior BJP leader Narendra Modi will launch the party’s campaign in the state today. Mr. Modi will hold an election rally at the Theme Park of Kurukshetra this afternoon. It will be the first election rally of the Prime Minister in Haryana. Congress and other regional parties are also making efforts to woo voters.

Meanwhile, after scrutiny of nomination papers yesterday, the candidatures of 1,561 contestants were found valid out of 1,747. The nominations can be withdrawn until the 16th of this month. Voting for the 90-member state assembly will be held on the 5th of October. The counting of votes for assembly polls in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir will take place on the 8th of October.