Jammu & Kashmir Assembly Polls 2024 LIVE: Impressive 36% Voter Turnout Ignites Enthusiasm by 1:00 PM in Phase-2 | Breaking News
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Key Highlights
As of 1:00 PM, voter turnout in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections reached nearly 37%. Officials noted a 36% turnout by 11 AM in the second phase of the elections.
Significant Statements and Developments:
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Rahul Gandhi: At a rally, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticized the government for reducing J&K from a state to a Union Territory, calling it an act of grave discrimination. He vowed that Congress would take to the streets to demand the restoration of statehood.
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PM Narendra Modi: In Haryana, PM Modi congratulated the people of J&K for participating enthusiastically in the "festival of democracy," noting that voting was proceeding peacefully.
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Women Voters’ Concerns: While the election campaigns highlighted issues around J&K’s special status, women voters expressed worries about rising electricity bills and new metering policies for electricity and water consumption.
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Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar: Kumar praised the high voter turnout, calling it historic and a testament to a peaceful, fair electoral process. He noted the presence of international diplomats observing the elections.
- BJP’s Confidence: Former J&K Deputy CM and BJP leader Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the second phase’s voter turnout would surpass the first, citing increased participation.
Election Updates:
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Phase Two Voting Figures: By 11 AM, the voter turnout was recorded at 24.10%.
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Local Candidacies: PDP candidate Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura cast his vote, and significant polling activity was observed in segments like Charari Sharief and Ganderbal, while Srinagar district saw slower activity.
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Omar Abdullah Criticizes Centre: Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah criticized the central government for inviting foreign diplomats to observe the elections yet maintaining J&K is an internal matter.
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Rahul Gandhi’s Call to Voters: In a rally, Rahul Gandhi urged J&K voters to support the INDIA bloc to overcome the "chakravyuh of injustice" by the BJP, while Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to remember the decade of "betrayal."
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Early Voting Dynamics: The second phase began at 7 AM under tight security, recording a 10.22% turnout in the first two hours. BJP candidates Baldev Raj Sharma and Ravinder Raina were seen offering prayers, marking the inaugural election for the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Assembly seat.
- Independent Candidate’s Hope: Waseem Shalla, contesting independently from Khanyar, expressed his hopes for significant voter turnout, noting his preference to run independent of the Congress-NC alliance.
The elections in J&K are shaping up to be a landmark event with strong voter participation and significant political dialogues.
Original Story https://www.business-standard.com/elections/jammu-kashmir-elections/jammu-kashmir-assembly-election-2024-live-updates-phase-2-voting-to-begin-today-124092500064_1.html
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