Poll dates for JK, Jharkhand to be announced

The schedule for the assembly elections in the states of Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be announced on Saturday evening.

The term of the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will end on January 19, the term of 81-member Jharkhand assembly will expire on January 3. Given the terrain and the security-related issues, the polling in both the states could be multi-phased.

The BJP, which has emerged triumphant in the elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, is raring to go in both Jammu and Kashmir and Jharkhand. The Congress has little to gain in both the states, where regional and sub-regional parties hold the sway.