JKPC to Contest Independently in Assembly Polls, Advocates for Article 370 Restoration

JKPC chairman Sajjad Gani Lone announces his party's decision to contest the assembly elections independently, distancing itself from alliances due to past issues. He supports the restoration of Article 370, aligning with local sentiments. A significant voter turnout marked the ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sajjad Gani Lone, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference (JKPC), declared on Tuesday that his party will contest the assembly polls independently, maintaining an 'equidistant' stance from other parties due to past alliance issues. 'We do not go into the number game. But I think it will be good...We faced issues in alliances last time as well. So, we are on our own. We want to contest alone,' Lone told ANI.

Addressing the subject of Articles 370 and 35A, Lone expressed his party's support for their restoration, a sentiment he said resonates with the local populace. He cast his vote at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Handwara during the third and final phase of the elections.

According to the Election Commission of India, a voter turnout of 65.08 percent was recorded by 5 pm in the third phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The data revealed various turnout percentages across regions: Bandipora at 63.33%, Baramulla at 55.73%, Jammu at 66.79%, Kathua at 70.53%, Kupwara at 62.76%, Samba at 72.41%, and Udhampur at 72.91%.

Voting was held in 24 constituencies in the Jammu division and 16 in Kashmir, under heightened security to ensure smooth proceedings. The first phase saw a 61.13 percent voter turnout, while the second phase observed a 57.31 percent turnout.

These elections are the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in the Union Territory. High-profile political figures, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, have been actively campaigning.

The National Conference (NC) and the Congress are contesting as allies, while the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are the key competitors. The vote counting is scheduled for October 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)