Srinagar, Sept 20: Congress President MallikarjunKharge is set to address a major election rally in the Chamb area of Jammu district on September 21, with preparations for the event already completed, officials confirmed.
Senior Vice President and Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), Ravinder Sharma, told *Rising Kashmir* that Kharge will arrive in Jammu on September 20 as part of the Congress’ election campaign. He will be campaigning for former Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, a two-time winner of the Chamb seat in 2002 and 2008, who lost to the BJP in 2014.
“Congress President Kharge will first address a press conference in Jammu at 11:30 AM at a hotel near the Railway Station. Following that, he will address a public meeting at Khour at 1:30 PM. All necessary arrangements have been completed,” Sharma said.
The Congress spokesperson added that they expect a massive turnout for Kharge’s visit to Khour, where he will address the people of the region.
Tara Chand, who has served as Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader, Deputy Chief Minister, and Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, is contesting from his traditional Chhambseat after it was recently de-reserved. Chand now faces a four-cornered contest against BJP candidate Rajeev Sharma, rebel Congress candidate Satish Sharma, and BJP rebel candidate Narendra Singh.
A total of 105,672 voters, including 51,534 women, will cast their ballots at 165 polling stations in the second phase of the elections, scheduled for September 25.