In a scathing criticism of former Chief Ministers of Kashmir, Dr. Abhijeet Jasrotia of the BJP condemned Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti for their alleged divisive politics and failure to protect the rights and safety of minorities. He highlighted the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits and the Nadimarg massacre, holding the leadership responsible for prioritizing political gains over justice. In contrast, he praised the BJP-led Government's inclusive development initiatives and called for rejecting divisive politics for the sake of peace and progress in the region.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, led by Mehbooba Mufti, has announced the candidates for eight assembly constituencies ahead of the 2024 polls. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding stringent laws against rape, while also meeting with Union ministers Amit Shah and JP Nadda. Following her statement "Bengal jalega, to poora Bharat jalega," Union Minister Chirag Paswan condemned the CM's words and called for the implementation of President's Rule in the state.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge have reached Srinagar for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir in order to strengthen the party's chances in the upcoming legislative elections. The visit was rescheduled due to the Bharat Bandh, but the leaders are expected to meet other political leaders, including Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, to discuss a potential pre-poll alliance against the BJP. The Congress has already finalized a seat-sharing formula with the National Conference and will be discussing this with them during their visit.
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, made a dramatic appearance at her polling station in Anantnag for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mufti's presence and participation in the polls garnered immense attention, considering her house arrest for extended periods and previous political actions. The enthusiasm of voters at polling stations, despite the existing fear of cross-border shelling, noted after a long time. A renewed ceasefire between India and Pakistan greatly aided voter turnout.
The penultimate phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections saw a high voter turnout of 59.06%, with West Bengal reporting the highest percentage at 78.19%. However, there were also reports of sporadic violence, particularly in Ghatal where paramilitary personnel had to shield BJP candidate Hiran Chatterjee. In Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri seat, where PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti is a contestant, the turnout was the highest in decades at 52%, despite claims of her party workers being detained.
In the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, more than 35 percent of the electorate has cast their votes until 1 pm. The highest turnout was recorded in Rajouri assembly segment with 52.74 percent, followed by Noweshera with 47.31 percent. However, three assembly segments, namely Anantnag, Anantnag-West, and Kulgam, had a turnout of less than 25 percent. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad, and Zafar Iqbal Manhas from Apni Party are among the 20 candidates vying for the seat.
The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency, which now comprises 18 assembly segments, is witnessing brisk polling with 23% of the electorate casting their votes till 11 AM. The highest voter turnout of 34.93% has been recorded in the Rajouri assembly segment. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti is one of the 20 candidates in the fray, facing competition from National Conference leader Mian Altaf Ahmad and Apni Party's Zafar Iqbal Manhas. With the inclusion of areas from Poonch and Rajouri, the turnout is expected to be higher than previous elections.
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has alleged that the BJP is resorting to intimidation tactics to secure a victory in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. She and her party workers have been detained in multiple areas, raising concerns about potential election rigging. This constituency, known for its challenges in conducting peaceful polls, faces heightened tensions amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Stay updated on the latest developments and voting trends in Anantnag and beyond on News24.
Several weeks after the Indian government lifted Article 370 and took charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Modi has paid a visit to Srinagar, the capital of the state. In today's trip, he will be venturing into some of the most scenic sites of the city, hoping to engage with the Kashmiri citizens and quell any anxiety among them about the recent changes. However, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti has also planned to lead her party's protest against Modi's visit, which could potentially escalate to violence, given the charged atmosphere. The visit and protests will certainly be an event to mark, so keep an eye out for all the latest updates.
In a controversial move, the Assam cabinet has decided to repeal the Assam Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Act, 1935. This decision has been met with criticism from former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah. In other news, CBSE is looking into implementing "open-book" examinations. Also, Radhika Mohta, a matchmaker and relationship coach, has shed light on the practical aspects of live-in relationships, while the Uttarakhand Assembly has passed a bill to regulate laws related to marriage and divorce, including live-in relationships.