Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary and Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Tarun Chugh on Saturday said that the BJP is fully engaged in election preparations in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that the first phase of the elections has been completely reviewed.
“BJP is fully engaged in election preparations in Jammu and Kashmir…The first phase of the elections has been completely reviewed here. There has also been a lot of discussion on how to contest the elections in the next phase. The opinion of all the major leaders has also been taken. BJP has entered the elections in Jammu and Kashmir with full strength without any alliance. On the other hand, those who kept singing the tunes of Pakistan and tried to make the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir fight are nowadays asking for votes in the name of unity and integrity,” Chugh said.
Meanwhile, Ramban SSP Kulbir Singh on security arrangements across the district said that the officials would try their best to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the polls.
“Our preparations are going on in full swing…We are tightening the security arrangements. We will try our best to ensure that no untoward incident takes place,” Ramban SSP said.
Earlier, the BJP District President from Samba, Kashmira Singh resigned on Saturday and expressed his disappointment and stated that he wasn’t even considered for a ticket in the upcoming valley elections.
He mentioned his 40-42 years of dedication to the BJP and his consistent efforts for the welfare of the local people.
Kashmira Singh also criticized the party for giving tickets to outsiders, despite the hard work of loyal party workers.
“I am resigning from all the posts and membership of the BJP. I have been associated with the BJP for the last 40-42 years. I have been constantly working for the people here. I have worked hard for the progress of the BJP…And today, I am saddened as we were not even considered for once while giving the tickets…The party workers do the work, and then tickets are given to outsider candidates…Those who opposed our thoughts are becoming our candidates today. I cannot take this, so I am resigning from the BJP,” Kashmira Singh told ANI.
Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party workers including locals of the Chhamb constituency protested against the BJP candidate list, demanding local candidates in the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections.
Many BJP workers threatened to boycott the Jammu and Kashmir polls and demanded to drop preferred leaders and award tickets to the local representatives.
Carrying placards, “Bahar Ka Pratyashi Nahi Chalega” (outside candidate is not acceptable), “Chhamb Ki Janata Ki Awaz, Local Pratyashi” (local candidate is the voice of Chhamb people), and “Hum Kya Chahte, Local Pratyashi” (we want local representative), hundreds of people took out a protest march.
The BJP has announced Rajeev Sharma as its candidate from the Chhamb Assembly Segment.
Polling in Jammu and Kashmir will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1, according to the Election Commission of India. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.
There are a total number of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, out of which 7 seats are reserved for SCs and 9 seats are reserved for STs.
According to the Election Commission of India, Jammu and Kashmir has 88.06 lakh eligible electors.
Notably, in the last Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP won 28 votes, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 25 votes, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference won 15 votes and the Congress won 12 votes.
The PDP and BJP formed a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. However, in 2018, the BJP withdrew its support from the alliance after Mehbooba Mufti took over following Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s demise.
These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. (ANI)
