Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Ramban assembly constituency, Rakesh Thakur cast his vote on Monday and exuded confidence that the BJP government will be formed in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the union territory has witnessed a lot of developmental work after the abrogation of Article 370 and that the BJP reached out to voters of J&K with those developments in the assembly elections.
“…After the abrogation of Article 370, a lot of development has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir and we went among the people with those development works in the elections… BJP government will be formed in Jammu and Kashmir …” said Rakesh Thakur.
Suraj Singh Parihar, an independent candidate from the Ramban Assembly constituency cast his vote and said, “I appeal to everyone to come out in large numbers and cast their vote for the development of Ramban…”
Jammu & Kashmir National Conference candidate from the Banihal Assembly constituency, Sajad Shaheen cast his vote and said that the atmosphere is very positive and the public wants to vote for the regional party National Conference so that their regional issues can be addressed. Adding to that he said, “We are getting a lot of support from the public…I am hopeful that we will win with a thumping majority…”
J-K has recorded 41.17 % turnout as of 1 pm in the first phase of polls.
According to the ECI, Kishtwar recorded a 56.86 per cent turnout followed by Doda 50.81 per cent, Ramban 49.68 per cent, Kulgam 39.91 per cent, Shopian 38.72 per cent, Anantnag 37.90 per cent and Pulwama 29.84 per cent.
Voting, which commenced at 7 am today, is underway across the Union Territory. It will conclude at 6 pm.
Voting was halted briefly at a polling station in Bagwan Mohalla, Kishtwar following a protest here over the identification of voters, however, voting has been resumed. Responding to the incident, Kishtwar DM Rajesh Kumar Shavan said that it was confusion and situation is normal.
In the first-phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Union Territory are voting today; that includes 16 seats in the Kashmir region and 8 seats in the Jammu region. Voting for the second and third phases in J-K will be held on September 25 and October 1, respectively. Vote counting will be held on October 8. (ANI)
