On Thursday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jammu and Kashmir chief Ravinder Raina submitted his nomination for the assembly elections from the Nowshera Assembly constituency. Prior to filing his papers, Raina expressed confidence in the BJP’s growing popularity throughout the Union Territory.
“There is a strong wave of BJP in the entire Jammu and Kashmir. Be it Jammu, Kashmir, Nowshera, or any other area, you can see thousands of BJP workers actively participating in this election campaign with great enthusiasm and passion. I am confident that the BJP will secure a significant majority when the voting concludes, leading to the formation of a BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir,” Raina stated.
He further criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his coalition partner, the National Conference, accusing them of disrespecting the region’s revered Maharajas. Raina emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would respond decisively to Congress and their allies. “Rahul Gandhi and his National Conference partners have always disrespected the highly respected Maharajas of Jammu and Kashmir. The people here will certainly provide a fitting response to Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and their alliance,” he added.
On the same day, BJP candidate Murtaza Khan from the Mendhar Assembly constituency also submitted her nomination. Speaking to ANI, Khan mentioned that since the nomination deadline was approaching, she filed her papers in preparation for the upcoming campaign. She expressed gratitude to the BJP government for accepting the recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission.
Jammu and Kashmir’s assembly consists of 90 constituencies, with seven seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and nine for Scheduled Tribes (STs). According to the Election Commission of India, the region has 88.06 lakh eligible voters. In the previous assembly elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured 28 seats, the BJP won 25, the National Conference (NC) took 15, and Congress won 12.
These elections will mark the first assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Voting will be conducted in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1.