BJP Gears Up for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections

BJP President Ravinder Raina announced that the party has initiated preparations for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to conduct these elections by September 2024, aiming for BJP's victory following their success in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party President Ravinder Raina announced on Monday that the BJP has commenced its preparations for the state assembly elections, asserting that the next government in J-K will be formed by the BJP. This follows a Supreme Court directive from December last year instructing the Election Commission to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024.

"The BJP has achieved a tremendous victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections across the nation, including in Jammu and Kashmir. With this victory under our belt, we are now focusing on the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. We urge the Election Commission to announce the election dates for the J-K assembly soon, as we are confident that the BJP will form the next government in the state," Raina stated in Kathua.

In December, the Supreme Court also emphasized the importance of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest possible time. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud directed the Election Commission of India to conduct assembly elections by the specified deadline under Section 14 of the Reorganisation Act.

The Supreme Court also upheld the reorganisation of Ladakh as a Union Territory, a move initiated by the Central government on August 5, 2019, when it revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and divided the region into two union territories.

This year, elections are scheduled in several states including Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. The Lok Sabha elections in J-K were held in five phases across five constituencies, with results seeing the National Conference and the BJP each securing two seats, while Independent Abdul Rashid Sheikh also won a seat.

(With inputs from agencies.)