“People want change” says National Conference leader Farooq Shah as he expresses confidence in party’s victory in J&K assembly polls

Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 28 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) candidate from the Gulmarg Assembly constituency, Farooq Shah, expressed confidence in his party’s victory in the assembly election on Saturday, saying the people want change.

“Gulmarg has emerged as one of the best destinations of the world… The constituency has faced a lot of problems as a politician who received the mandate of the public three times did not fulfil the expectation of the public… People want change. Youth has no job opportunities. My mission is to ensure the development of the constituency,” Shah told ANI.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate from Billawar Assembly constituency, Manohar Lal Sharma, criticised the BJP’s “misgovernance and anti-people policies,” citing issues like unemployment, inflation, and corruption.

Speaking to ANI in Kathua, Sharma said, “The elections are being fought by the women, farmers, labourer. The public is against the misgovernance and anti-people policies of the BJP, issues of unemployment, inflation, corruption…There is anger against the BJP among the public of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Elections are being held in three phases in Jammu and Kashmir. Assembly elections are taking place in the Union Territory after a ten-year gap, marking the first elections since the abrogation of Article 370.

A voter turnout of 57.31 per cent in the second phase of polling in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which took place on September 25, as per the Election Commission of India.

As per the ECI data in the second phase of polling in Jammu and Kashmir, 72.18 pc polling was recorded in Kangan, 57.12 pc in Ganderbal, 32.39 pc in Hazratbal, 26. 9 pc in Khanyar, 19.81 pc in Habba Kadal, 34.15 in Lal Chowk, 29. 53 pc in Chanapora, 30.78 pc in Zadibal, 36. 95 pc in Eidgah, 31.84 pc in Central Shalteng, 52. 27 pc in Budgam, 66.95 pc in Beerwah, 72. 8 pc in Khansahib, 70.27 pc in Chrar-I-Sharif, 57.19 pc in Chadoora, 73. 60 pc in Gulabgarh, 72.6 in Reasi, 80. 45 pc in Mata Vaishno Devi, 68. 82 pc in Kalakote- Sunderbani, 73.5 pc in Nowshera, 70.57 pc in Rajouri, 70.4 pc in Budhal, 72.88 pc in Thanamnadi, 74. 94 pc in Surankote, 74.56 pc in Poonch Haveli and 73. 56 pc in Mendhar.

The first phase of assembly polls was held on September 18. The third and final phase of polling is scheduled for October 1, the counting of votes will take place on October 8.