Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (October 8) congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) for its “commendable performance” in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. With trends pointing towards a comfortable victory for the NC-Congress alliance, PM Modi took to social media to recognize the significance of this election and express gratitude to the voters.
In a social media post, PM Modi stated, “I am proud of the BJP’s performance in Jammu and Kashmir. I thank all those who have voted for our Party and placed their trust in us. I assure the people that we will keep working for the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. I also appreciate the industrious efforts of our Karyakartas.”
The elections marked a pivotal moment for Jammu and Kashmir as they were the first assembly elections held since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A) in 2019. Reflecting on the historical importance of the election, PM Modi added, “These elections in Jammu and Kashmir have been very special. They were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy. I compliment each and every person of Jammu and Kashmir for this.”
As of 3:00 PM on election day, the Election Commission of India reported that the NC-Congress alliance was leading with 47 seats, while the BJP was trailing with 29 out of the total 90 assembly seats. The high voter turnout across the region was seen as a significant indicator of faith in the democratic process, particularly in a region that has experienced political and constitutional upheaval in recent years.
The outcome of the election has been widely viewed as a turning point for Jammu and Kashmir, with voters expressing their desire for stability and development. Political analysts have highlighted the importance of this election as a barometer for public sentiment following the changes made to Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
The NC-Congress alliance’s apparent victory underscores the enduring influence of regional parties in the newly restructured union territory, while the BJP’s performance indicates its continuing presence and appeal, particularly in the Jammu region.