New Delhi/IBNS: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has appealed to the voters of Jammu and Kashmir to turn out in large numbers to "vote for your rights" as the second phase of assembly elections in the union territory is underway on Wednesday.

Gandhi posted on X, "My brothers and sisters of Jammu and Kashmir, today is the second phase of voting, come out in large numbers and vote for your rights, prosperity and prosperity - vote for INDIA.

"By snatching away your statehood, the BJP government has insulted you and played with your constitutional rights. Your every vote for INDIA will break this vicious circle of injustice created by the BJP and bring Jammu and Kashmir on the path of prosperity."

Voters across 26 constituencies are casting their votes in this phase where former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is one of the prominent contestants.

In the second phase, the People’s Democratic Party fielded 26 candidates, followed by the National Conference with 20. Voters will seal the fates of 238 candidates in the second phase of the election in the UT.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has cast 17 and the Congress fielded six candidates for the 238 seats that are up for grabs.

The Jammu Kashmir Assembly polls are historic, being held for the first time since the region underwent major changes over the past five years, including the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

This led to the conversion of the state to a Union Territory (UT) and its division, with Ladakh becoming a separate UT without a legislature.