In the third phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir, people across 40 assembly seats – 16 in Kashmir and 24 in Jammu – will cast their votes. Will the BJP repeat its 2014 performance and outdo the National Conference and PDP in the Jammu region?     

Newslaundry spoke to locals across Jammu in the last week to understand the sentiment on the ground. We found that after the abrogation of Article 370, the locals are disappointed over the purported sluggish development in the region.   

Ravi Kumar, 50, a resident of Trikuta in Jammu, said, “Our three generations have voted for the BJP. We had a lot of hope from Modiji, but nothing changed after the removal of Article 370. On the contrary, unemployment and inflation increased. Our local educated children are roaming around unemployed.”

The BJP also recorded rebellion within its Jammu unit as local leaders protested its initial candidate list, forcing the party to withdraw it. The discontent further grew, resulting in senior leaders like Pawan Khajuria and Chandra Mohan Sharma contesting as independents, and Joginder Singh Kaku exiting the party. 

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