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Complex Electoral Battles Shape Up for Jammu Division’s Second Phase Polls

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Complex Electoral Battles Shape Up for Jammu Division’s Second Phase Polls

Jammu: As the withdrawal deadline for candidacy concluded today, the political landscape for the second phase of Jammu division’s assembly elections has crystallized with intriguing contests across 11 constituencies in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts. With 12 candidates bowing out, including prominent figures, the stage is set for a high-stakes electoral battle on September 25.

Rajouri District: A Hotbed of Political Rivalries
In Rajouri, the high-profile contest has become more competitive following the withdrawal of BJP rebel and former MP Choudhary Talib Hussain, and retired Judge Zubair Ahmed Raza. The race now features BJP General Secretary Vibodh Gupta, Congress’s Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mian Mahfooz, a notable spiritual leader. The contest, though primarily between Gupta and Ahmed, remains open with additional candidates in the fray.

In the Nowshera segment, a rematch from 2014 will see former BJP UT Chief Ravinder Raina facing off against Surinder Choudhary of the National Conference (NC). Choudhary, who had previously contested as a PDP candidate, has switched affiliations. BSP’s Manohar Singh also adds to the dynamics, wielding influence in select areas. Raina’s previous victory margin was 10,000 votes, with Congress’s Ravinder Sharma securing over 5,300 votes. According to the NC-Congress seat-sharing pact, NC is contesting Nowshera this time.

Further, Rajouri is witnessing competitive battles with the NC and Congress having agreed on their seat-sharing arrangements. The Congress is contesting in Rajouri and Thannamandi, while NC is focusing on Sunderbani-Kalakote, Nowshera, and Budhal constituencies.

Poonch District: Family Feuds and Political Shifts
In Poonch, notable developments include the withdrawal of BJP rebel Suhail Malik, leaving the field to Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari of BJP, Shahnawaz Choudhary of Congress, and others. Notably, Choudhary Akram, a former Congress MLA who joined NC, is now contesting as an Independent candidate.

The Poonch-Haveli constituency has Shah Mohammad Tantray of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party competing against NC’s Aijaz Jan, BJP’s Choudhary Abdul Gani, PDP’s Shamim Ganai, and Independent Udesh Paul Sharma.

In Mendhar, a triangular contest is anticipated among NC’s Javed Rana, BJP’s Murtaza Khan, and PDP’s Nadeem Khan.

Reasi District: Key Contenders Emerge
The newly created Shri Mata Vaishno Devi constituency will see a triangular battle between BJP’s Baldev Sharma, Independent Jugal Kishore Sharma, and Congress’s Bhupinder Jamwal. Baldev won the Reasi seat in 2008, while Jugal, a former Minister, is making a comeback as an Independent after being denied a DPAP mandate.

In the Reasi constituency, BJP’s Kuldeep Raj Dubey faces Congress’s Mumtaz Khan, who previously served as MLA from Gulabgarh. In Gulabgarh, former Minister Aijaz Khan is running as an Independent, competing against NC’s Engineer Khursheed and BJP’s Akram Khan.

Overall Election Landscape
Post withdrawal, a total of 79 candidates remain in the fray for the second phase of elections across three districts: 34 in Rajouri, 25 in Poonch, and 20 in Reasi. The withdrawals include 12 candidates—five each from Rajouri and Poonch, and two from Reasi—shaping a dynamic and competitive electoral environment.

TRAGIC BIKE ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF SOLDIER ON LEAVE

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TRAGIC BIKE ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF SOLDIER ON LEAVE

In a heartbreaking incident, a soldier on leave, Mohd Afzal, a resident of Banpat in Poonch district, tragically lost his life in a bike accident today.

Details of the Incident:

Victim: Mohd Afzal, a soldier who had returned home on leave.
Location: Banpat, Poonch.

According to local sources, Mohd Afzal was riding his motorcycle when the accident occurred. The circumstances surrounding the accident are currently under investigation by local authorities. Eyewitnesses report that the accident happened on a busy road, and efforts were made by bystanders to provide assistance before emergency services arrived at the scene.

Community Reaction:

The news of Afzal’s untimely death has shocked and saddened the local community. Tributes have been pouring in from friends, family, and fellow residents who remember him as a dedicated soldier and a beloved member of the community.

Statements:

A spokesperson from the local administration expressed condolences to the family of Mohd Afzal. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. We are also committed to ensuring a thorough investigation into the accident,” the spokesperson said.

Funeral Arrangements:

The family of Mohd Afzal is making arrangements for his final rites. Details regarding the funeral services will be communicated to the public once finalized.

Priyanka Gandhi Criticizes Uttar Pradesh Police Over Handling of Robbery Case

Himalayan Express
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Priyanka Gandhi Criticizes Uttar Pradesh Police Over Handling of Robbery Case

LUCKNOW, Sept 9: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has sharply criticized the Uttar Pradesh Police, accusing it of turning law and order into a “joke” and alleging that the state administration’s approach involves torturing the innocent while protecting criminals.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Gandhi highlighted a recent incident in Raebareli where a public facility center operator, Ravi Chaurasia, was robbed of Rs 8 lakh. The assailants abandoned the stolen money on the roadside, where it was discovered by a businessman named Gaurav, also known as Deepu. Gandhi claimed that when Deepu attempted to hand over the money to the police, he was wrongfully detained.

Gandhi’s post detailed that Deepu, who had found the bag on August 20 and reported it to the local police station with a village representative, was arrested on August 26 under accusations of robbery. Despite local protests demanding his release, Deepu was initially charged and jailed.

“The police initially accused Deepu of robbery, although he was merely trying to do his duty as a good citizen,” Gandhi wrote. “It is clear that torturing the innocent and providing protection to criminals has become the fundamental approach of the Uttar Pradesh administration.”

Following significant public outcry and protests by villagers and local business owners, an investigation was launched. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjeev Kumar Sinha confirmed that Deepu was released on Saturday evening after the investigation found insufficient evidence linking him to the robbery.

“Due to lack of evidence, police have released Deepu,” Sinha stated.

Priyanka Gandhi’s post underscores growing concerns about the state’s law enforcement practices and the broader implications for governance and justice in Uttar Pradesh.

Sanjay Raut Predicts Defeat for Ajit Pawar in Baramati Assembly Polls

Himalayan Express
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Sanjay Raut Predicts Defeat for Ajit Pawar in Baramati Assembly Polls

MUMBAI, Sep 9: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut today dismissed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s recent expressions of regret over his political decisions, predicting that Pawar will face defeat in the upcoming assembly elections from his stronghold of Baramati.

Raut’s comments came in response to Ajit Pawar’s recent admission that fielding his wife, Sunetra, against his cousin Supriya Sule in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was a mistake. Ajit Pawar had also stated that it might be beneficial for Baramati to elect a new MLA to assess his own development work in comparison.

Ajit Pawar, who has represented Baramati in the Maharashtra Assembly since 1991, won the 2019 election with a substantial margin of 1.65 lakh votes against BJP’s Gopichand Padalkar. The upcoming state assembly elections are scheduled for next month.

Raut criticized Ajit Pawar for his role in the NCP split and his alignment with the Shiv Sena-BJP government, accusing him of betraying his uncle, NCP founder Sharad Pawar. “There is no point in repenting about what he did to his uncle Sharad Pawar and his party,” Raut said. “Ajit Pawar engineered a split in the NCP and within the Pawar family. He even took away his uncle’s party and symbol. He backstabbed his uncle, who was like a father figure to him.”

In addition, Raut expressed concerns about Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Mumbai, alleging that BJP leaders are undermining Mumbai’s political and financial standing. He accused the BJP of attempting to relocate key organizations and institutions from Mumbai to Gujarat, citing the shift of the International Financial Services Centre as an example. “We are against such policies of these BJP leaders,” Raut asserted.

World Physiotherapy Day Celebrated at JCP

Himalayan Express
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World Physiotherapy Day Celebrated at JCP

To commemorate World Physiotherapy Day, a series of events were organized at JCP. The celebration featured a skit competition centered around the theme of low back pain, along with a cultural program. Additionally, an awareness session on the causes and prevention of low back pain was conducted for patients and the general public at the JCP Outpatient Department in Janipur.

During his address, Principal Dr. Navinderpal Singh extended his warm wishes on the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day and congratulated the organizing committee and students for the success of the event. He praised the committee for their tireless efforts in not only organizing the World Physiotherapy Day celebration but also the broader World Physiotherapy Week activities.

Principal Singh further expressed his gratitude to the management, particularly Chairperson Suman Sharma, for their continuous support and encouragement in promoting such initiatives. He emphasized the importance of these programs in raising awareness about physiotherapy and its role in addressing health issues like low back pain.

Himalayan Express
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Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today highlighted the pivotal role of the Jammu region in determining the next government for Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing a focus on peace, harmony, development, and the empowerment of youth, farmers, and marginalized communities.

Addressing a public gathering at Panchayat Kathar Lower in Dansal Mandal of the Nagrota Assembly Constituency, Rana, accompanied by senior BJP leader Nand Kishore Sharma, called for a strong mandate for the BJP in the upcoming elections. He urged party workers to aim for a significant increase in their previous tally to enable Jammu to play a crucial role in shaping the socio-economic future of the region.

Rana asserted that the new government will be dedicated to addressing the needs and aspirations of the people across both regions, ending the cycle of discrimination and appeasement that characterized previous administrations. He praised the BJP-led NDA Government for its role in stabilizing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir since August 5, 2019, noting improvements in peace, tourism, and economic activity.

He condemned political elements trying to disrupt the prevailing stability and warned against efforts to push the region back into violence and mayhem. Rana underscored the BJP’s commitment to maintaining developmental progress and denounced attempts to exploit the situation for political gain.

Nand Kishore Sharma, speaking alongside Rana, reinforced the BJP’s commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma stressed that a vote for the BJP would strengthen Modi’s efforts to bring about comprehensive growth and prosperity in the region, aligning with the party’s agenda of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Collective Support, Collective Development, Collective Trust, Collective Effort). He expressed confidence that a double-engine government would leverage all available resources to drive progress in the coming years.

Political Clashes Erupt in South Kashmir; Police Intervene

Himalayan Express
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Political Clashes Erupt in South Kashmir; Police Intervene

Clashes between workers of rival political parties erupted today in South Kashmir, resulting in several injuries and prompting police intervention.

Details of the Incidents:

Pampore Clash: A scuffle broke out between workers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Apni Party in Dusoo Pampore near Spice Park. Police intervened promptly to separate the conflicting groups and disperse the crowd.

Shopian Clash: Tensions escalated between PDP and Apni Party workers at Balpora Shopian, leading to a physical altercation in which several individuals from both sides sustained injuries. The police have taken note of the situation and are investigating the clash. Both parties have been reported for violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Zainapora Incident: In another incident in DK Pora Imam Sahab, some workers of the National Conference (NC) attempted to overpower and verbally abuse Aijaz Ahmad Mir, an Independent candidate contesting from Zainapora constituency in Shopian district.

Police Response:

A police spokesperson confirmed that they are investigating the incidents and have filed reports on the violations related to the Model Code of Conduct. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Campaign in Jammu and Kashmir

Himalayan Express
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Campaign in Jammu and Kashmir

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make three significant visits to Jammu and Kashmir as part of the BJP’s election campaign. His first visit is scheduled for September 14, when he will address a large rally in the Doda region.

Details of Modi’s Visits:

September 14 Visit: The Prime Minister will kick off his campaign tour with a rally in Doda. The exact venue for the rally is being finalized and will be announced shortly. This visit aims to energize voters in the Doda region, which includes the Assembly constituencies of Kishtwar, Paddar-Nagseni, Inderwal, Doda, Bhaderwah, Doda West, Ramban, and Banihal.

September 19 Visit: Modi will return to Jammu and Kashmir on September 19 for a second round of campaigning. This visit will focus on constituencies in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts, which are set to vote in the second phase of elections on September 25.

Third Visit: The date for the Prime Minister’s third visit to Jammu and Kashmir has not yet been confirmed. It will likely coincide with the campaigning for the third phase of elections.

BJP’s Electoral Strategy:

In the 2014 Assembly elections, the Doda region had six constituencies, with the BJP securing four seats. The party aims to build on this success with its current candidates: Sunil Sharma (Paddar-Nagseni), Shagun Parihar (Kishtwar), Tariq Keen (Inderwal), Daleep Parihar (Bhaderwah), Shakti Parihar (Doda West), Gajay Singh Rana (Doda), Rakesh Singh Thakur (Ramban), and Mohammad Salam Bhat (Banihal).

The first phase of the elections, covering eight seats in the Doda region, is set for September 18. The second phase will include constituencies in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi on September 25, while the third phase will cover Jammu, Samba, Kathua, and Udhampur districts on October 1.

Additional Campaign Support:

In addition to Prime Minister Modi, the BJP’s campaign will feature prominent leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior national BJP figures. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also among the star campaigners.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Addresses Rally, Pitches for Development in Jammu and Kashmir

Himalayan Express
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Addresses Rally, Pitches for Development in Jammu and Kashmir

In a spirited address to large crowds in Ramban and Banihal, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh outlined the BJP’s vision for Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing development and integration. He promised that under BJP rule, Jammu and Kashmir would become so developed that people from Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) would themselves seek to join India.

Key Statements from Rajnath Singh’s Address:

Vision for PoJK: Rajnath Singh expressed a bold vision, stating that the BJP aims to make Jammu and Kashmir so prosperous that the residents of PoJK would wish to join India. He criticized Pakistan for considering PoJK residents as foreigners and invited them to be a part of India, which considers them as its own.

Dialogue with Pakistan: The Defence Minister stated that India is open to dialogue with Pakistan, provided that Pakistan halts its support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He clarified that improved relations with Pakistan are contingent on Pakistan ceasing its support for terrorist activities.

Election Dynamics: Singh emphasized the importance of the upcoming Assembly elections, noting that voter turnout has increased significantly since the abrogation of Article 370. He confidently asserted that the BJP is poised to form the next government with a clear majority.

Article 370 and Security: Singh strongly defended the abrogation of Article 370, claiming that it was crucial for ending the region’s misery and fostering prosperity. He dismissed opposition claims about restoring Article 370, asserting that it will not be reinstated under BJP rule. Singh also highlighted the decline in terrorism and the improved security situation in the region since August 2019.

Infrastructure and Development: The Defence Minister praised the Modi government’s focus on infrastructure development, including roads, railways, and connectivity projects. He cited recent improvements, such as the G20 event in Srinagar, as evidence of the region’s progress and the government’s commitment to transforming Jammu and Kashmir.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh’s Address:

Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, supported Rajnath Singh’s statements and highlighted the BJP’s equitable approach to welfare. He criticized the Congress for its past practices of religious and communal bias and praised the BJP’s focus on objective criteria for distributing state benefits.

Highlights from Dr Jitendra Singh’s Speech:

Welfare and Development: Dr Singh emphasized that BJP’s welfare schemes are inclusive and reach all communities, contrasting this with the Congress’s historically biased approach. He also noted the significant development in Banihal, highlighting the construction of roads and tunnels that have transformed the region.

Political Critique: Dr Singh criticized the previous NC and Congress governments for neglecting peripheral regions like Banihal. He appealed to voters to support the BJP to ensure continued development and secure future for their children.

Defence Minister’s Praise for Dr Jitendra Singh:

Rajnath Singh showered praise on Dr Jitendra Singh, describing him as a highly capable politician whose speeches in Parliament command respect. Singh highlighted Dr Singh’s calm demeanor and effectiveness as an MP, affirming his admiration for his colleague’s contributions.

In Summary:

The BJP’s election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir is marked by strong promises of development and integration, coupled with a firm stance against terrorism. The party’s focus on transforming the region into a model of prosperity is central to its electoral strategy, with prominent leaders underscoring their commitment to progress and security.

Amit Shah Vows to Eradicate Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

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Amit Shah Vows to Eradicate Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made a firm commitment to eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir, announcing plans for a White Paper to address accountability for the rise of terrorism in the region. Shah, during the release of the BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (election manifesto), urged voters to support the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections to ensure a five-year tenure focused on development and stability.

Shah Outlines BJP’s Vision for J&K

Addressing the media and party supporters, Shah emphasized the BJP’s plan to provide long-term solutions for Jammu and Kashmir’s issues. He rejected the possibility of a hung Assembly and stressed that dynastic politics from parties like PDP, NC, and Congress will not be tolerated. Shah criticized past governments for their appeasement policies towards separatists and hailed the abrogation of Article 370 as a turning point for the region’s stability.

Rehabilitation and Development Focus

Shah highlighted the recent achievements in Jammu and Kashmir, including a boost in tourism, a significant reduction in terror-related incidents, and improvements in infrastructure. He also discussed efforts to rehabilitate displaced Kashmiri migrants, stating that a detailed policy for their permanent settlement is underway. He assured that reservations for Gujjars, Bakerwals, Paharis, and Dalits would remain intact.

Security and Peace Priorities

The Home Minister reaffirmed that India will not engage in talks with Pakistan until terrorism is completely eradicated. He dismissed concerns about separatists entering politics, expressing confidence that the people of Jammu and Kashmir support the BJP’s efforts to combat terrorism.

Educational and Economic Progress

Shah lauded the establishment of new educational institutions and significant investments in hydropower projects, which he believes will drive economic growth and make Jammu and Kashmir a surplus-budget region. He noted the substantial increase in voter turnout in recent elections as a positive sign of democratic engagement.

Criticism of Opponents

Shah took aim at the National Conference and Congress, challenging them to clarify their positions on key issues such as the restoration of Article 370 and the release of stone pelters. He also criticized Rahul Gandhi for his silence on these matters and emphasized the BJP’s commitment to maintaining the region’s integration with India.

Looking Forward

With ongoing efforts to improve security, economic conditions, and democratic participation, Shah expressed confidence in the BJP’s ability to lead Jammu and Kashmir towards a brighter future. He called for continued support from the people to achieve lasting peace and development in the region.

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