Haryana, J&K Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: No alliance with Congress in Haryana? AAP releases 1st list of 20 candidates, says 'waited patiently'

Haryana, J&K Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: Jammu and Kashmir is gearing up for electoral polls, which are set to commence in the third week of September. The elections will be conducted in three phases, with polling dates scheduled for September 18, 25, and October 1, and the counting of votes will take place on October 8. Political parties have intensified their preparations for the upcoming polls.In their manifestos, the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party have emphasized the restoration of Article 370, while the BJP has declared that Article 370 is now a thing of the past. These elections mark the first polls to be held in the Union Territory following the abrogation of Article 370.Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who unveiled the party manifesto in Jammu on Friday, launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the National Conference's manifesto on Saturday. Shah accused them of wanting to "spread terrorism, snatch reservations of Gujjars, Bakarwal, Paharis, and Dalits, release criminals, and start LOC trade with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir."Amid uncertainty over an alliance with the Congress for the assembly polls in Haryana, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has declared itself a "strong, third alternative" in the state, warning that those who underestimate it will have to regret their decision. On Saturday evening, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha met with Congress leaders to further discuss the Haryana alliance talks. Following the meeting, AICC general secretary in-charge for Haryana, Deepak Babaria, stated, "Nothing has been finalised as of now, it will be done by tomorrow or the day after."Haryana is set to go to the polls on October 5, with the last date to file nominations being September 12.