- By Mayukh Debnath
- Sat, 17 Aug 2024 08:34 PM (IST)
- Source:PTI
J-K Assembly Polls 2024: In a big jolt to the BJP ahead of the upcoming Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior leader ditched its ranks to join the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference in Jammu on Saturday, an NC spokesman said. Sukhjit Singh, who was serving as the state secretary of BJP's OBC wing, switched loyalties to the NC alongside several BJP workers, the NC spokesman informed.
They were welcomed to the NC's fold by Abdullah himself, he added. The spokesman termed the joining of the BJP workers as a "significant boost" to the party in the run-up to the Assembly election. The fresh entrants to the NC include nine retired army personnel and several former government employees, the party spokesman said. Singh's switch in party affiliation came just a day after the Election Commission announced the dates for the much-anticipated polls.
JAMMU-KASHMIR ASSEMBLY ELECTION DATES
The 90 Assembly constituencies spread across the union territory will go to the polls in three phases starting September 18, the Election Commission announced on Friday. The counting of votes will be held on October 4, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar informed.
This will be the first Assembly election in present-day Jammu and Kashmir, a union territory that came into existence after the bifurcation of the state of the same name in 2019. The undivided Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its last Assembly polls in 2014.
"There are a total of 90 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, of which 74 are general, SC-7 and ST-9. There will be a total of 87.09 lakh voters in Jammu and Kashmir, of which 44.46 lakh are males, 42.62 lakh are females, 3.71 lakh are first-time voters and 20.7 lakh are young voters. The Amarnath Yatra will end on August 19 and the final voter list will also be published on August 20," the CEC said in a press conference.
(With inputs from agencies)