Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: As Jammu and Kashmir heads into the final phase of voting in the assembly elections, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge made an impassioned appeal to voters on Tuesday, urging them to “teach a lesson” to those responsible for stripping the region of its statehood. Kharge emphasized the importance of every vote in ensuring better employment opportunities, fighting corruption, and protecting land rights.
Kharge’s Message to Voters
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge addressed the electorate in the 40 assembly seats up for grabs—24 in the Jammu region and 16 in Kashmir. “This is the final chance to teach a lesson to those who snatched statehood from the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he wrote, encouraging voters to exercise their democratic rights in large numbers.
Voting in Phase 3
The third and final phase of polling, which began at 7 am and will conclude at 7 pm, will decide the fate of 415 candidates, with over 39 lakh registered voters eligible to cast their ballots.
Call to First-Time Voters
Kharge also welcomed first-time voters, stating, “The future course for Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided by their participation.” He urged young voters to join the voting queue, reinforcing the message that a single vote could change their destiny and secure a brighter future.
New Voters from Marginalized Communities
This election marks a significant moment for West Pakistani refugees, the Valmiki Samaj, and the Gorkha community, who are voting for the first time in the assembly polls. These groups gained voting rights after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, having previously participated only in the Block Development Council elections in 2019 and the District Development Council polls in 2020.
Kharge’s message resonates with the broader concerns over the restoration of statehood and the future of Jammu and Kashmir as it moves toward its next political chapter.
