BJP Gears Up for Crucial Jammu and Kashmir Elections

Ahead of the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections, top BJP leaders will hold multiple rallies in the Union Territory. Polling will occur in three phases with results announced on October 4. The BJP has decided to contest independently, supporting strong independent candidates in certain areas.

Top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are set to spearhead eight rallies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as the region braces for pivotal elections.

Polling will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, with the Election Commission of India scheduling vote counting for October 4. The BJP has announced it will not form alliances, instead supporting robust independent candidates in assembly seats across the Kashmir valley where the party will abstain from contesting.

The BJP's Central Election Committee convened on Sunday at the party's headquarters in New Delhi, potentially finalizing the list of candidates for the first phase. The session, chaired by National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, saw attendance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other key members.

Furthermore, the meeting was considered critical for its focus on Jammu and Kashmir, attended by state-specific leaders like Tarun Chugh and Ravindra Raina. It is anticipated that a subsequent meeting on August 29 will discuss the Haryana assembly elections.

Recalling the 2014 elections, the PDP won 28 seats, BJP secured 25, and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and Congress won 15 and 12 seats respectively. A coalition was formed by PDP and BJP but dissolved in 2018. These upcoming elections signal the first since the abrogation of Article 370.

(With inputs from agencies.)