Campaigning for 3rd phase of J&K Assembly polls to end today

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Sachin Pilot will address rallies in Jammu and Kashmir today. The third phase of polls to be held on October 1, with results to be declared on October 8.

In Short

• Mallikarjun Kharge, Sachin Pilot to address public meetings
• Third phase of polls to be held on October 1
• Results to be declared on October 8

As Jammu and Kashmir gears up for the third and the last phase of polls on October 1, campaigning in the union territory won't be allowed after today. The first phase of polls in what are the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade, took place on September 18 while the second phase ended on September 25. The results will be declared on October 8.

As many as 40 constituencies will go to polls in the third phase. Of the 40 constituencies, 24 fall under the Jammu division.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Sachin Pilot will address public meetings in several parts of the union territory today. Kharge will address meetings in Jasrota and Ramnagar to convince voters to vote for the candidates contesting elections as part of the Congress-National Conference alliance.

The Congress President addressed a press conference in Jammu last weekend, but did not attend Congress' rallies in Haryana reportedly due to fatigue caused by constant travel.

Former Deputy Rajasthan Chief Minister Sachin Pilot will address gatherings in Udhampur West, Bani and Nagrota Assembly constituencies. Congress will be hoping to give a tough fight in Jammu, which is considered to be a stronghold of the BJP.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi addressed public meetings in Billawar and Bishnah on Saturday, in her first rallies of the season.

Addressing a rally in Bishnah, Priyanka attacked the BJP over its "Naya Kashmir" slogan, saying the region has been plunged into "unprecedented crisis" by the saffron party in the last 10 years of its administration.

She also vowed to help restore statehood for the union territories, which was one of the promises made by the Congress in its poll manifesto.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, visited Jammu ahead of the third phase of Assembly polls and accused the Congress of disrespecting the sacrifices made by the armed forces of the country. He accused Congress of waving "white flags" whenever the country was attacked from across the border.