Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing significant developments in the 2024 election, with several key figures and parties making headlines. Here are the latest updates:
Jailed leader Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rashid, has emerged as a strong contender against former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah in the Baramulla constituency. Mr. Abdullah congratulated Mr. Sheikh even before the official results were announced, acknowledging the momentum behind his rival's campaign.
In the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has conceded defeat to NC’s Mian Altaf Ahmad, who is leading with a substantial margin as of 2:30 p.m.
As for the overall picture, the National Conference is leading in the Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead in Udhampur and Jammu seats.
This election marks the first time Jammu and Kashmir is voting as a Union Territory (UT) since the abrogation of its special status in 2019. The region was previously a part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir until it was bifurcated into two Union Territories (Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh) under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The election is also significant as it is the first major poll since the dissolution of the elected Assembly and the revocation of the special status by the BJP-led Union government. Despite facing challenges such as Internet shutdowns, the region has recorded its highest voter turnout in the last 35 years, according to the Election Commission.
The election has been conducted in multiple phases, starting on April 19 and concluding on May 25, with one of the UT’s five constituencies voting in each phase.
Key issues addressed during the elections include restoring peace in the politically volatile region, which has seen frequent instances of violence, and the restoration of Statehood. Controversy arose as several displaced Kashmiri Pandits found their names missing from the electoral rolls.
The Indian National Congress, as part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), is contesting for the Udhampur and Jammu seats against BJP candidates from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, in the Baramulla, Srinagar, and Anantnag-Rajouri constituencies, the contest is primarily between two INDIA parties: the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with no NDA contenders.
The regional rivalry between PDP and NC has persisted over the years: PDP won three seats in 2014, while NC won three seats in 2019.
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