I applaud people of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency for encouraging turnout: Narendra Modi

"Would especially like to applaud the people of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency for the encouraging turnout, significantly better than before. The abrogation of Article 370 has enabled the potential and aspirations of the people to find full expression. Happening at the grassroots level, it is great for the people of J&K, in particular the youth," Modi posted on X appreciating the encouraging turnout of voters.

This was the first major voting that took place in the UT since the BJP-led government scrapped Article 370 in 2019 after coming to power for the second term.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday congratulated the people on the high voter turnout in the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency where polling was held during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections.

“Today, people came out in large numbers to cast their votes in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency and reaffirmed their faith in democracy and the constitution,” Lieutenant Governor posted on X.

“I commend the hard work by all the stakeholders for free, fair, peaceful and smooth conduct of the polling”, the Lieutenant governor said and added, “It is heartening to see the huge surge in voting percentage in the biggest festival of democracy”.

“I truly appreciate the enthusiasm of electors and hope to see historic turnout in the next two phases. I appeal to all to vote without fear and vote with responsibility and pride”, the Lieutenant Governor posted on X.

Srinagar, the lone Jammu and Kashmir seat which went to polls on Monday, registered 36 percent voting. It is the highest turnout since 1996.

“This is not a vote in protest against our past, it is a vote of umeed (hope), of the hope of a better future,” 62-year-old Ghulam Qadir Wani, who cast his vote at Dara, was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.