Ground Report: In Jammu and Kashmir, the Key to Power is in the Hands of ‘Vote Cutters’ Candidates, Voting for the Second Phase Tomorrow

Ground Report: The campaigning for the second phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections has come to an end. Voting will take place in Rajouri, Riasi, Poonch, and Srinagar, Badgam, and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir on Wednesday. In Jammu and Kashmir, the key to power is in the hands of 'vote cutters' candidates. Read Jaggo Singh Dhakad's special report...

In Jammu and Kashmir, the campaigning for the second phase of the assembly elections has come to an end. Here, 26 assembly seats will go to polls on Wednesday. Independent candidates (99) have disrupted the sleep of political parties. The seats in Kashmir are divided among the NC-Congress alliance, PDP, independents, and other parties. The number of candidates is high, and the key to power is likely to be in the hands of 'vote cutters'. The result will depend on how many votes the small parties and independent candidates can cut.

The BJP is facing a challenge in opening its account here. In the second phase, a large number of young candidates are in the fray. The number of candidates below 40 years of age is 85. The NC and PDP have tried to make Article 370 an emotional issue. The BJP has highlighted the issues of peace, stability, and development in its manifesto.

85 Young Candidates in the Fray

A special thing is that a large number of young candidates are contesting the elections. The number of candidates below 40 years of age is 85. The NC and PDP have tried to make Article 370 an emotional issue. The BJP has highlighted the issues of peace, stability, and development in its manifesto. All major parties have promised to restore the state's status.

Jammu Region: BJP Has Put in All Its Might

In the Jammu region, the BJP is aiming to win 35 seats, 10 more than its tally in the previous elections. The Congress is trying to stop it from achieving this target. The BJP has a strong presence in the Jammu region. Although the BJP has fielded candidates in some seats in the valley, its focus is on Jammu. The inclusion of Gujjar Bakarwal and Pahari Muslims in the ST category may benefit the BJP. University of Jammu student Rjat Prakash says that Engineer Rashid and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates are in the fray. If they win, what will happen to Jammu and Kashmir? Therefore, the BJP is ahead in Jammu.

Kashmir: This is Where NC-Congress Hopes Lie

In Kashmir, the NC-Congress alliance, PDP, independents, and other parties are in the fray. Here, the BJP is eyeing the candidates who are not supported by the NC-Congress alliance. These candidates may hold the key to power. The NC-Congress alliance is hoping to win more seats from Kashmir. Engineer Rashid's candidates may harm the NC. Some independent or small-party candidates may win. Hizaratbal's Mohammad Rizwan says that people are angry about the removal of Article 370 and the state's status being downgraded to a UT. Therefore, the issue is to stop the BJP from gaining ground in Kashmir. Therefore, this time, the votes in Kashmir will not be divided.

Second Phase

Number of Candidates:
17 seats - BJP
6 seats - Congress
20 seats - NC
26 seats - PDP
Total 239 candidates
99 independent candidates
6 female candidates
8 sensitive constituencies

These Heavyweights are in the Fray:

NC leader and former CM Omar Abdullah
J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina
J&K Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra
His party's President Altaf Bukhari

Rahul Gandhi Seeks Votes

In the second phase, PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have held rallies in Srinagar and Jammu. On the last day of campaigning, Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi held election rallies in Srinagar and Jammu.