Month: October 2024

The Supreme Court has received an application seeking a directive for the Union Government to restore statehood to Jammu Kashmir within two months, Live Law reported. This plea, filed by college teacher Zahoor Ahmed Bhat and activist Khurshid Ahmad Malik, argues that the Union has not fulfilled its assurance to restore statehood, despite the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding the abrogation of Article 370. In August 2023, Zahoor was suspended from the Union Territory's education department by the administration in Srinagar, just four days after he argued against the Centre’s decision to revoke J-K’s constitutional safeguards. Zahoor was reinstated after the Supreme court order. The applicants contend that the failure to restore statehood violates the principle of federalism, a ...

Following exit polls that predict a tight race in Jammu Kashmir, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate from the Kulgam constituency, expressed confidence that the people want a secular, non-BJP government in the region. Tarigami emphasized that the residents of Jammu and Kashmir seek a government that will genuinely represent their voices. "The public has given their mandate, and the results will be announced on October 8 as expected," he stated. Commenting on the exit polls, he remarked, "While the exit polls provide assessments, we are waiting for the official results. In my view, the mood among the people is to elect a secular government that keeps its promises. I believe non-BJP secular parties should gain the upper hand and secure victory....

National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah expressed optimism on Sunday about the Congress-NC alliance securing a majority in the upcoming Jammu Kashmir Assembly elections. He welcomed the People's Democratic Party (PDP)'s openness to joining the alliance, describing it as a "great thing" for unity. When asked about PDP leader Zuhaib Yousuf Mir's comments that the party might collaborate with the Congress-NC alliance to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from gaining power, Abdullah remarked, “Congratulations to them. We are all on the same path—to end hatred and keep Jammu Kashmir united.” Although Abdullah refrained from commenting on exit polls, he stated that the results on October 8, when counting takes place, would reveal the true standings. "The Congress-NC...

Despite exit polls showing the National Conference-Congress alliance in a leading position, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu Kashmir and BJP leader Kavinder Gupta expressed optimism on Saturday, stating that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will perform better than predicted, particularly in Kashmir, with discussions ongoing with like-minded parties, ANI reported. “It is only in the exit polls that Congress-NC has these seats, but BJP will emerge as the largest party once the final results are announced. We are confident of securing over 35 seats in Jammu province and gaining more in Kashmir. Talks are underway with like-minded parties,” Gupta said. Tarun Chugh, BJP General Secretary and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, echoed Gupta’s sentiments, dismissing exit poll projections ...