Rahul Gandhi Boosts Congress Campaign in J&K Amid Assembly Election Countdown

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge meet with party workers in Jammu and Kashmir to galvanize support ahead of state elections. Security has been heightened. The elections will be held in three phases starting September 18, with the first since the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.

As the Election Commission of India announced dates for state assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge organized a meeting with party workers in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Stringent security measures have been put in place around the hotel where the meeting is taking place.

Arshid Tantary, a Congress youth leader, remarked, 'When Rahul Gandhi arrived in Srinagar yesterday, excitement was palpable from the airport to the hotel. Today, around 500 workers are meeting him, eager to support Congress.' Asif Beigh, Congress Youth General Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, added, 'We were with Rahul Gandhi until 3 AM preparing for today's event. Our enthusiasm is high as he aims to build alliances with secular forces.'

Congress is expected to form an alliance with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) for the upcoming elections. On August 18, JKNC Vice President Omar Abdullah confirmed that preparations for the Assembly elections are underway. He noted, 'We'll announce candidate names post the August 20 notification. Unlike BJP, we're focusing on people's support rather than just seat numbers.' Abdullah also launched the party manifesto, which includes promises like restoring Article 370 and providing statehood. The elections will occur in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with vote counting on October 4. This is the first election in Kashmir since Article 370's abrogation.

(With inputs from agencies.)