Rahul Gandhi is set to ignite the Congress party’s election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Wednesday, embarking on a pivotal day of rallies in the region. This marks the beginning of the Congress’s efforts in the Union Territory ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled for September 18.
Gandhi’s visit starts with his arrival at Jammu airport at 10 a.m. From there, he will board a helicopter to Sangaldan in the Ramban district, where he is scheduled to address a rally at 11 a.m. This rally is significant for the Congress party, as the constituency is a battleground in the absence of an agreement with the National Conference (NC) on seat-sharing. Both parties have fielded their own candidates, making this an important contest for the Congress, which will be represented by Vikar Rasool Wani.
Following his engagement in Sangaldan, Gandhi will head to the Dooru Assembly constituency in Anantnag district. At 12:30 p.m., he will rally support for G.A.Mir, the Congress candidate for the constituency. The Dooru rally is another critical element of the Congress campaign strategy, aimed at bolstering the party’s position in the region.
Accompanying Gandhi on this campaign trail are key figures from the party, including Bharatsinh Solanki, the party’s general secretary, and Tariq Hameed Karra, the state Congress president. Their presence underscores the importance of this campaign phase and the high stakes involved for the Congress party.
This campaign launch is just the beginning of a larger electoral effort by the Congress in J&K. Over the coming weeks, prominent Congress leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are expected to join the campaign, further energising their base and drawing attention to the party’s agenda.
In addition to the rallies, the Congress party is actively preparing for a competitive election landscape. Three former Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) presidents are among the candidates contesting in the first phase of the Assembly elections. The election will see a total of 87 constituencies, with the first phase scheduled to cover several key areas.
The Congress party has formed a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference. According to the agreement, the NC will contest 52 seats while Congress will field candidates in 31 constituencies. However, the alliance is not without its internal conflicts, as both parties will be competing against each other in five constituencies. These constituencies include Nagrota, Bhaderwah, Banihal, and Doda in Jammu, as well as Sopore in Kashmir.
The alliance and the ensuing competition underscore the complex political dynamics at play in J&K. The rivalry between the Congress and NC in certain constituencies highlights the high stakes for both parties as they seek to secure key positions in the region’s governance.
Gandhi’s campaign activities are expected to generate significant attention and support for the Congress party, setting the stage for a highly contested election period. The strategic focus on Sangaldan and Dooru is indicative of the Congress’s commitment to addressing critical areas and rallying support ahead of the elections.
As the campaign progresses, the Congress party will continue to leverage its key leaders and strategic alliances to bolster its electoral prospects. The upcoming weeks will be crucial as the party intensifies its efforts and engages with voters across J&K.