Jammu and Kashmir elections 2024: Parties unite on statehood demand

Srinagar: As the high pitch campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls drew to a close on Sunday, the only consensus emerging among almost all the parties was on restoration of statehood.

The lone dissenting voice came from Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which has its own distinct agenda. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a relentless force in the BJP’s campaign, took to the stage with fervor. “We have said in the parliament that we will restore (J&K’s) statehood. Only the BJP will fulfill this commitment,” Modi said to a cheering crowd in Srinagar at an election rally while referring to BJP, without specifying any timeline for the return of statehood.

The exit polls for the Jammu and Kashmir elections will take place on October 5. The results will be declared on October 8.