Election campaigning is intensifying in Ramban district, which encompasses two assembly constituencies: Ramban and Banihal. The first phase of the assembly elections is scheduled for September 18, 2024, prompting various political parties to ramp up their efforts to attract voters.
Star campaigners from multiple parties are set to hold rallies and roadshows throughout the district. Security measures have been significantly heightened in anticipation of the elections.
Notably, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address a rally in Sangaldan, part of the Banihal assembly segment, on September 4. He will campaign in support of Vikar Rasool Wani, a two-time MLA from Banihal and former minister. Despite a pre-poll alliance between Congress and the National Conference (NC), both parties have fielded candidates for the Banihal constituency due to an inability to reach a consensus on candidate selection.
The situation in Banihal is described as a “friendly contest” by senior party leaders, though the reality on the ground may suggest otherwise. Following the delimitation process in 2022, areas like Sangaldan and Gool were reassigned to the Banihal constituency, altering the political landscape.
In Ramban, BJP candidate Rakesh Thakur has been actively campaigning, targeting both the NC and Congress during rallies in Tangar, Batote, and Ukhral. Meanwhile, NC candidate Adv. Arjun Singh Raju is also engaging with voters to bolster support for his campaign.
The upcoming assembly elections are particularly significant as they mark the first electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The elections will unfold in three phases, with results expected on October 4. The Congress and NC alliance aims to consolidate their influence in a region where the BJP has gained substantial ground in recent years.
As the election date approaches, the political atmosphere in Ramban is charged with activity, reflecting the high stakes for all parties involved.