As the first phase of polling for 24 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir began, Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticized the stagnation of development in the region. Speaking to reporters in Poonch, Pilot emphasized that people are eager for a government that meets their expectations. He expressed hope that the INDIA alliance will form the next government, stating, “This is a border area. The Congress party has always been strong here… People are looking for a government that will meet their expectations.”
Pilot accused the BJP of propping up proxy candidates to divide votes but believes that the voters see through these tactics. He pointed out that elections hadn’t been held in the region for nearly a decade, and with the results, they aim to win with an absolute majority.
These elections are the first since the abrogation of Article 370. On the agenda concerning Article 370, Pilot mentioned that the alliance aims to restore statehood, a right that he says the BJP took away from the people.
Congress leader Gurdeep Singh Sappal added to the criticism, highlighting the unemployment issue in Kashmir. He noted that while the BJP made many promises following the abrogation of Article 370, the unemployment rate in the region has tripled since 2005.
Voting in the Union Territory commenced at 7 am today and will continue until 6 pm. The subsequent phases are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with the final results set to be announced on October 8.