According to sources, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections will be held along with Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Haryana, in October this year.

Violence-hit J&K will join the electoral process after it witnessed a major turmoil when it comes to forming the government.

Jammu and Kashmir was brought under Governor’s rule on June 20, 2018 after the BJP withdrew support from the ruling coalition led by the PDP. Six months

after the Governor’s rule, the President’s rule was implemented as per the relevant provisions in the state and central Constitution.

Meanwhile, BJP is confident of performing well in the state.

“We are expecting better results in the Valley too as the party has started preparations including candidate selection for the state polls,” a senior party leader said. BJP had won 25 seats in the 87-member J&K assembly in 2017. However, all its wins came from the Jammu region and the party could not open its account in Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

BJP leaders will take stock of the party’s preparedness for the upcoming elections, whose schedule is likely to be announced by the Election Commission after the Amarnath Yatra is completed next month.

Meanwhile, an official said deployment of additional forces was a prelude to state polls, contrary to apprehensions of opposition parties that the Centre may abrogate Article 35A.