Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (September 19) attacked the opposition parties while addressing an election rally in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. PM Modi said that the bumper voting in the first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections has rejected the parties sympathizing with stone pelting and terrorism. The Prime Minister said that the people here have full faith in Modi's guarantee of a safe and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. Heartfelt thanks to the people who came to Srinagar to bless. PM Modi said that the aim of all of us is the rapid progress of Jammu and Kashmir.

The PM said that today I have come among you with the message of raising the spirit and enthusiasm for the rapid development of Jammu and Kashmir. I see that today my brothers and sisters of Kashmir are calling me a happy PM. I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

PM Modi said that the festival of democracy is going on in Jammu and Kashmir at this time. Just yesterday, the first round of voting took place in 7 districts here. For the first time, this voting took place without the shadow of terrorism. It is a matter of great happiness and pride for all of us that such a large number of people came out of their homes to vote.

The Prime Minister said that more than 80% voting took place in Kishtwar, more than 71% in Doda, more than 70% in Ramban, and more than 62% in Kulgam. The last time voting records were broken in many seats. He said that this is a new history, this new history has been created by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

PM Modi said that depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate rights has been their political agenda. They have given Jammu and Kashmir only cashout i.e. fear and intashaar i.e. anarchy. But now Jammu and Kashmir will not remain in the clutches of these three families.

PM Modi further said that liberating Jammu and Kashmir from terror, and terrorism... defeating every force conspiring against Jammu and Kashmir... providing employment opportunities to the youth here... this is Modi's intention, Modi's promise.

PM Modi said that when I came to Jammu and Kashmir a few days ago... I had said that three families were responsible for the destruction of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, from Delhi to Srinagar, these people are furious. They think that how can anyone question them, they think that it is their birthright to occupy the chair somehow and then loot all of you.

61 percent voting in the first phase

The Election Commission said that more than 61 percent of voting took place in the first phase of elections for 24 assembly seats in seven districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (September 18). The Commission said that these are provisional figures and they may increase after the final reports of postal ballots and remote areas come in. Voting took place in 24 assembly constituencies of seven districts in the first phase. The Election Commission said that Kishtwar district recorded the highest polling of 80.14 percent, followed by Doda (71.34 percent) and Ramban (70.55 percent).

The commission said that Kulgam district in south Kashmir recorded the highest voter turnout of 62.46 percent, followed by Anantnag district at 57.84 percent, Shopian district at 55.96 percent, and Pulwama district at 46.65 percent. This is the first assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The last assembly election was held in 2014.

Let us tell you that voting will be held in three phases for the 90-member assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. The first phase of voting took place a day earlier on September 18. The other two phases will be held on September 25 and October 1. The counting of votes will take place on October 8.