New record will likely be made in J-K elections, says Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], September 25 (ANI): As the second phase of elections in Jammu and Kashmir got underway on Wednesday, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that this polling is proof that people of the region have appreciated the decisions of the Central government with positive approach.
Referring to the voting percentage of the first phase of polls, Shekhawat said that there was a time when the voting percentage was in single digits due to the threats from terrorists but now a new record of voting percentage is likely to be created.
"In the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections, the voting percentage was more than 60 per cent. There was a time when the voting percentage was in the single digits due to threats from terrorists...Now, a new record will likely be made. This polling is itself proof that the public of Jammu and Kashmir is standing with the decisions of Central government of India, including the decision to abrogate Article 370. People of the territory have appreciated these things with positive approach. I can say that we will form a government in Jammu and Kashmir," Shekhawat said.
He said, "There was a time when the voting percentage was in the single digits due to the threats from terrorists...The enthusiasm among voters is proof that the time of terrorism has ended. After the abrogation of article 370, there has been a wave of peace in J-K."
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale exuded confidence that the BJP will emerge victorious in these elections as efforts of PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have vanished the terrorism from the territory.
Athawale said, "It is a very good sign that people are coming out to vote in large numbers. In the first phase, the voting percentage was around 59 percent, which is comparably higher than other states. The numbers were similar in Lok Sabha elections. BJP will emerge victorious in these elections as with the efforts of PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah terrorism has been reduced in J&K...J&K is progressing towards development..."
BJP leader and former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Nirmal Singh expressed confidence that the voter turnout will in the second phase of elections will be greater than that of first phase.
"I am confident that the voter turnout in the second phase of J&K assembly elections will be higher than that of the first phase...People are coming out to vote in large numbers..." said Singh.
He further called the alliance of NC-Congress an "opportunistic alliance" which, according to him, people have rejected.
On JKNC vice president Omar Abdullah's statement, he said, "Earlier PDP was a part of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, they removed them from the alliance... Congress has no vision for J-K. The public of Jammu has already rejected them...They (Congress) surrendered to the manifesto of the National Conference...It is the desperation of the National Conference as their agenda is not working in Jammu and they want the Congress party to do something...This is an opportunistic alliance and people have rejected them..."
Voting for the second phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir began at 7 am on Wednesday. Over 25 lakh eligible voters will seal the fate of 239 candidates across 26 constituencies in six districts of the Union Territory. In this phase, 25,78,099 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballot, comprising 13,12,730 lakh male voters, 12,65,316 lakh female voters and 53 third-gender voters.
The last phase of polls will be held on October 1 and counting of votes will be held on October 8. (ANI)