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Stakes high for BJP in last phase of Jammu and Kashmir polls

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Security personnel and polling officers before leaving for polling stations in Jammu on Friday
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It is a do-or-die battle for the BJP in the fifth and final phase of the assembly polls in 20 seats in the Dogra heartland of Jammu division.

Saturday's phase will determine the fate of BJP's ambitious Mission 44 to kiss power in the only Muslim majority state of the country.

BJP had won 11 seats from Jammu division in 2008 polls riding high on the Amarnath land row. This time the goalposts have changed and BJP is banking high on the Modi wave to ride to power in Jammu and Kashmir.

From Kishtwar to Udhampur to Poonch to Billawar, prime minister Modi has extensively campaigned in the Jammu division with Mission 44 in mind. But it is the 20 constituencies of Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri districts of Jammu division which hold the key for the BJP political future.

"It is now clear that the people want a change in this state. PDP, NC and Congress provided only the rule of corruption and people were deprived of development. Now people want to bring the BJP government in this state," said Nand Kishore Sharma, party candidate from the prestigious Nagrota seat of Jammu.

There are 213 candidates in fray for the 20 seats of the three districts. Jammu district has the highest number of 117 candidates for 11 assembly constituencies followed by Kathua with 54 for five seats and Rajouri with 42 candidates for four segments.

Around 18.28 electors – 9.59 lakh male, 8.69 lakh female and two third genders – will be exercising their franchise in the last phase of polls on Saturday.

The prestigious Gandhi Nagar segment has the highest number of 1.68 lakh electors while as Bani constituency of Kathua district has the lowest number of electors – 41.5 thousand. Election Commission has set up 2,366 polling stations with Jammu district having the highest of 1,224 followed by Kathua 625 and Rajouri 517 booths.

"Time has come for the people to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister Modi of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. It is now the duty of people to support BJP and realise Mission 44 plus to form the new government," said Puran Singh, BJP candidate from Darhal constituency of Rajouri district.

Stakes are also high for the Congress as it wants to stop the Modi march in Jammu and Kashmir. From Sonia Gandhi to Rahul Gandhi to Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress has put everything in a basket to hit BJP on its own turf.

"There is no Modi Wave in Jammu and Kashmir. BJP will never form a government in Jammu and Kashmir. The people of Kashmir have given a befitting reply to the BJP and people of Jammu region will follow suit", said Salman Nizami, Congress party spokesman.

Omar Abdullah's National Conference is fighting to save its grace while as main opposition PDP is desperately trying to make inroads in Jammu division.

"People have realised that only PDP has the vision and conviction to solve their problems," said Mehbooba Mufti, PDP president.

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