BJP to Contest Jammu and Kashmir Elections Alone

The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, led by President Ravinder Raina, has declared it will not form any pre-poll alliances for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for September, although it is in talks with 8 to 10 independent candidates from the Kashmir Valley. Raina expressed confidence in the party's ability to secure a majority and form the government, bolstered by the recent inclusion of prominent leader Choudhary Zulfikar Ali. He dismissed remarks from former chief minister Omar Abdullah regarding Article 370, arguing that Abdullah's party is losing ground in the region. The elections will occur in three phases, with counting set for October 4, marking the first elections since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. In a related note, the Janata Dal United (JDU) has announced its intent to participate in the elections and called for the release of detained stone pelters and political prisoners, advocating for local justice and stability.