Next J&K Chief Minister will be from BJP: Ravinder Raina

RS Pura, Sep 27: Jammu and Kashmir BJP President Ravinder Raina has exuded confidence in the party forming the next government in the union territory and said that PDP's Mehbooba Mufti will not be part of that government.

"There is a huge wave of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir. We are forming government in Jammu and Kashmir with the immense support of the people. The next Chief Minister of J&K will be from the BJP," Raina told reporters.

"I thank all the people of Jammu and Kashmir across castes. Mehbooba Mufti will not be part, at least of the BJP government," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday took potshots at National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over their remarks on statehood during the election campaign in Jammu and Kashmir and said it can only be done by the Centre.

Addressing an election rally in Kathua, he also took a swipe at Omar Abdullah for contesting from two seats, saying the NC leader is "scared."

"Omar Abdullah is dreaming of becoming the CM again. Two phases of voting have concluded, and in these two phases, NC and Congress have been wiped out. Omar sahib used to say that he would not fight elections till the time Jammu and Kashmir doesn't get statehood," Shah said.

"Then he said he would contest from Ganderbal. Now, he is contesting from two separate seats because he is scared. In the Parliament, I had clearly said that statehood would be restored after elections in Jammu & Kashmir. Rahul baba, you cannot restore statehood as you are in the opposition. It can be done only when the BJP wants," the BJP leader added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday also attacked the Congress, asking its leader Rahul Gandhi whether he supports the National Conference's demand to bring back Article 370 and Article 35 A and separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering in the Ramgarh Assembly Constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, CM Yogi said, "I want to ask Congress leader Rahul Gandhi whether he supports the National Conference's decision to have a separate flag for Jammu and Kashmir. Does Rahul Gandhi support the National Conference's demand to bring back Article 370 and 35A and push Jammu and Kashmir into an era of unrest and terrorism?"

The first and second phases of J-K assembly polls were held on September 18 and 25, respectively. The third and final phase of voting will be held on October 1, while the counting of votes will take place on October 8. Assembly elections are being held in the Union Territory nearly after a gap of ten years and are the first once since the abrogation of Article 370.