Amid the ongoing elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday made a passionate appeal to voters, urging them to turn out in large numbers for the second phase of polling. Kharge emphasized that casting their vote could bring about a “positive change” that would “secure their future” and “guarantee unbridled welfare.”
Polling for the second phase commenced at 7 a.m. in 3,502 polling stations spread across 26 Assembly constituencies. These constituencies are located in six districts—Ganderbal, Srinagar, and Budgam in the Kashmir Division, as well as Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch in the Jammu Division.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge described Jammu and Kashmir as being on the “cusp of change” and called on people to exercise their democratic rights. “Today, as the second phase of voting gets underway for 26 seats, I exhort the people of Jammu and Kashmir to come out in large numbers to exercise their Democratic rights,” Kharge wrote.
Labeling these elections as a turning point for the region, Kharge said that every vote would help protect the constitutional rights of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. He added, “A vote for positive change will secure your future and guarantee unbridled welfare. One single vote will secure your Constitutional rights. I warmly welcome the first-time voters, who look forward to a better future. These elections are a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir and let us use the power of Democracy to make that change happen.”
Kharge also criticized the administration for what he referred to as the “downgraded status” of Jammu and Kashmir. He argued that the transition from a state to a Union Territory had resulted in widespread unemployment, corruption, and issues related to land rights and social justice.
“When you press the voting button on the EVM, do think about how your decade was lost in betrayal. A state was downgraded to a Union Territory for the first time in history. There is widespread unemployment and rampant corruption, with land rights and social justice issues becoming prevalent,” Kharge added in his post.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also made a similar appeal to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to vote in large numbers to elect a government that could secure their future.
In her post on X, Priyanka highlighted the importance of voting, particularly for those whose voices had been stifled for the past decade. “My dear sisters and brothers of Jammu and Kashmir, the right to vote is your most important right. For the last 10 years, this right has been taken away from you. You were banned from raising your voice on issues related to electricity, water, roads, employment, income, business, land, forest. Your right to choose your representative was taken away from you. Show the power of your vote in the second phase of elections today. Vote to elect a government for your better future, livelihood, employment, land, business and who your issues,” she wrote.
Polling for the second phase saw over 25 lakh eligible voters casting their ballots to decide the fate of 239 candidates. Voters from 26 constituencies in the Union Territory’s six districts participated, with queues forming at polling stations from early morning.
In total, 25,78,099 voters were eligible to participate, including 13,12,730 male voters, 12,65,316 female voters, and 53 voters from the third-gender category.
Elaborate security and administrative arrangements were made across polling stations to ensure the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Among the key candidates in this phase were former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, who contested from both Budgam and Ganderbal seats. Other notable contenders included Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina, who stood for the Nowshera Assembly seat, and Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra, running for the Central-Shalteng seat.
The final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, with the vote counting set to take place on October 8.
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