Following the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a public rally in Srinagar and Katra on Thursday. The rally comes as part of a broader campaign effort by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to consolidate support in the region.
In a message posted on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their enthusiastic participation in the initial phase of voting. He highlighted the impressive turnout and expressed his anticipation of addressing the rally. “I look forward to being among the people of Jammu and Kashmir today. Will address a rally in Srinagar and Katra. Yesterday’s turnout has shown that the people of J&K are very enthusiastic about the elections and are keen to make the poll process vibrant. I will speak about our development agenda and seek people’s blessings,” Modi wrote.
The BJP has planned the rally to be held at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar, with expectations of drawing around 30,000 party workers and supporters. The event is a strategic part of the party’s campaign to bolster its presence in the Valley. BJP leader Altaf Thakur noted that the rally would provide an opportunity for PM Narendra Modi to interact with the party’s candidates and boost their morale. Of the 47 seats in Kashmir, the BJP has fielded candidates in 19 constituencies, marking a decrease from their previous effort in the 2014 Assembly elections.
Ahead of the rally, extensive security measures have been implemented in Srinagar. The event will be closely monitored by various security agencies to ensure a safe and orderly gathering.
The first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, held on September 18, covered 24 constituencies across the Union Territory. The remaining two phases are scheduled for September 25 and October 1, with the vote counting set for October 8. The heightened security and significant turnout underscore the region’s continued engagement in the electoral process as it navigates through these critical elections.
