Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India]: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to rise above differences and support the BJP in the upcoming assembly election to prevent the resurgence of separatism and terrorism in the valley.
While addressing BJP supporters for the Jammu West Assembly Constituency Candidate Arvind Gupta, Union Minister Reddy said, “I request people of Jammu and Kashmir to consider whether they want to maintain changes made after removal of Article 370 under PM Modi’s leadership or if they want to bring back separatism, terrorism, cross-border terrorism, stone-pelting on security forces, corruption, and nepotism. The future of Jammu and Kashmir is in your hands.”
“I urge everyone to come together, setting aside differences in religion, caste… rise above individual issues and support BJP party in this election,” he added.
He also said that the BJP’s existence is linked to Jammu and Kashmir, as the party was formed to save Jammu and Kashmir and fully integrate it into India.
“Jammu and Kashmir is heartbeat of our nation, and BJP’s very existence is linked to Jammu and Kashmir… BJP was established to save Jammu and Kashmir and integrate Jammu and Kashmir fully into India,” he said.
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 4.
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.
These are the first assembly elections to be held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.