On the eve of the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, polling officials can be seen leaving for their respective polling stations. This phase will see the fate of many prominent political faces being sealed, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC vice-president, who will face a tough challenge from 16 and 7 contestants respectively in Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies. Other key candidates to watch out for are JKAP founder Altaf Bukhari, contesting for the first time from Chanapora, and PCC president Tariq Hameed Karra, fighting against 12 candidates in Central Shaltengh. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Sugra Barkati, daughter of jailed contestant Sarjan Ahmad Wagay, has managed to garner significant support in Shopian's Beerwah constituency.
J&K Assembly Elections: Phase 2 Voting Underway, Key Faces in the Fray
On the eve of the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, polling officials have set off to their designated polling stations. This phase holds immense significance as the fate of several prominent political figures hangs in the balance.
Key Political Faces Contesting
Factors to Watch Out For
Background
The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections are being held in five phases, starting on November 25th and concluding on December 20th. The results will be announced on December 22nd.
The elections are taking place under a new, delimitation-adjusted constituency map, which has been challenged by some political parties.
The first phase of voting, held on November 25th, saw moderate voter turnout despite sporadic incidents of violence. The second phase, which is scheduled for November 28th, will cover 48 assembly constituencies spread across seven districts.
FAQs
Q1: What is the significance of the second phase of voting? A1: This phase will witness the fate of several prominent political figures, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Q2: Who are the key candidates to watch out for? A2: Omar Abdullah, Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Altaf Bukhari, Tariq Hameed Karra, and Sugra Barkati are some of the key candidates in this phase.
Q3: What factors are likely to influence the outcomes? A3: The performance of the National Conference, the challenge posed by the JKAP, the absence of the PDP, the role of independents, and the security situation are all expected to play a role.
Q4: What has been the voter turnout so far? A4: The voter turnout in the first phase of voting was moderate despite some incidents of violence.
Q5: When will the results be announced? A5: The results of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will be announced on December 22nd.
With election results just around the corner, the Union Home Minister has reiterated the BJP's respect for its alliance partners. The decision on forming a government in light of the election outcome will be based on the results and mutually agreed upon by all parties involved. Stay updated with News24 for the latest developments in the political sphere.
In a surprise move, President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos, who was serving a seven-year prison term for fraud and identity theft. Santos, a New York Republican, admitted to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people, including family members, to fund his campaign. The decision was announced by Trump on social media, spurring strong reactions from both supporters and critics.
In a significant development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's third production line for the LCA Tejas Mk1A and also witnessed the aircraft's successful maiden flight in Nashik. The event also marked the inauguration of HAL's second production line for the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40). With the approval of the purchase of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets, the need for new inductions has been underlined by IAF chief AP Singh, while HAL officials remain confident in meeting this requirement.
In a significant development, over 200 Maoist rebels, including top leaders Rupesh and Ranita, have surrendered to Indian security forces in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. This marks a critical moment in the long-standing fight against Naxalism in the country. The region of Abujhmarh and North Bastar, known for its dense forests and difficult terrain, has historically served as a safe haven for Maoist groups, making it challenging for authorities to root out their presence. The massive surrender of Maoists is not only a tactical win but also a symbolic victory in the government's efforts to rid the "Red Corridor" of Naxalite influence.
Amidst his busy schedule, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to make a heartfelt tribute to Zubeen Garg, the beloved singer of Assam, by attending his last rites at 'Zubeen Kshetra' in Sonapur. In anticipation of his arrival, strict security measures have been implemented in the area since morning, with a thorough inspection conducted by Gaurav Gogoi. With the deployment of police, paramilitary forces, and CCTV cameras, all eyes will be on the site to ensure a peaceful and incident-free event.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's plea in 2026 to combine and transfer all FIRs and complaints related to his comments on "eradicate Sanatan Dharma" made in 2023. Stalin's lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, argued that multiple FIRs and complaints had been filed against his client and requested for the matter to be posted in 2026. The top court had previously ordered no new FIRs to be registered against Stalin without its permission, stating that multiple complaints on a single issue were not valid.
President Droupadi Murmu has announced the launch of the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, aimed at promoting self-reliance and self-sufficiency in every tribal village. The initiative, organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a step towards ensuring that tribal communities are included in the development journey of the nation. The National Conclave on the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan, held in New Delhi, saw the participation of top government officials and tribal representatives from across the country. The focus of the conclave was on "Tribal Village Vision 2030" and how to implement it for the benefit of tribal communities.
Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton has been charged with illegally retaining and sharing classified documents from his time in government. The indictment alleges that Bolton shared more than 1,000 pages of information with relatives through a personal email account, which was hacked by an entity believed to be affiliated with Iran. The case raises questions about the use of the Department of Justice to target political opponents.
US President Donald Trump announced his plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hungary to discuss and potentially end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Before their meeting, US officials will convene with representatives from Russia to attempt to reach a resolution. This comes after a phone conversation between the two leaders, in which Putin also congratulated Trump on achieving peace in the Middle East. Trump believes this success could have a positive impact on negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made the announcement to revive the historic Darbar Move tradition, which involves shifting government offices biannually between Srinagar and Jammu. The tradition dates back to the 19th-century and was initiated by Maharaja Ranbir Singh to ensure administrative accessibility across the region. The decision to revive Darbar Move reflects an effort to reconnect with the region's rich history while addressing current administrative needs.