Security has been tightened across six districts in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the second phase of assembly elections, set to take place on Wednesday.
This phase will see voting in 26 assembly constituencies, including Kangan (ST), Ganderbal, Hazratbal, Khanyar, Habbakadal, Lal Chowk, Channapora, Zadibal, Eidgah, Central Shalteng, Budgam, Beerwah, Khansahib, Chrar-i-Sharief, Chadoora, Gulabgarh (ST), Reasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, Rajouri (ST), Budhal (ST), Thannamandi (ST), Surankote (ST), Poonch Haveli, and Mendhar (ST).
Key candidates in this phase include former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, contesting from both Budgam and Ganderbal; Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera; and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hamid Karra, who is running in Central-Shalteng.
On Monday, Abdullah held a rally in Ganderbal, while Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, addressed a rally in Poonch.
Gandhi criticized the BJP for delaying the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“You don’t have a say in running your government. Orders are followed from Delhi. We wanted statehood to return before the elections, but we will ensure it happens after the polls,” he said.
Attacking Gandhi, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that the Congress leader was merely echoing what the BJP had pledged long ago.
In the first phase of voting on September 18, a voter turnout of 61.13 percent was recorded across 24 constituencies in seven districts, according to the Election Commission.
The third and final phase of voting is set for October 1, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
(With ANI input)