Independent Candidate Enters Ladakh Polls, Makes It 3-Corner Fight

What should have been a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress in the Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is now a three-corner fight with an alliance of local groups fielding an Independent to challenge the national parties.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is not an issue for his party in the Lok Sabha polls, asserting that it will get the statehood anyway in view of commitment by the Prime Minister.

Ninety-six Lok Sabha constituencies across 10 states and Union territories including all seats in Andhra Pradesh, where assembly elections are also being held concurrently, and Telangana will go to polls today.

Another 96 seats will go to the polls today as the Lok Sabha elections reach their halfway markin terms of the number of phases - three stages of polling have been completed and three more will be left after today.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the residence of rebel SP MLA Manoj Pandey after addressing a rally here on Sunday.

A total of 1717 candidates are contesting in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls today, when 96 seats across 10 states and Union Territories are going to polls.