In Jammu, former J&K minister and founding member of J&K Apni Party, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, officially joined the BJP at the party headquarters. His decision came shortly after the election commission announced assembly polls in J&K, beginning on September 18. Zulfkar's induction into the BJP was led by Union minister G Kishan Reddy, BJP's J&K assembly election in-charge, along with other high-ranking BJP officials. Prior to joining the BJP, Zulfkar met with Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. Zulfkar cited his reasons for joining the BJP as being driven by the interests of the ST community and the development of the Rajouri-Poonch region. He expressed that during their time in the J&K government, they felt compelled to align with the National Conference due to fear and uncertainties. Zulfkar previously held cabinet positions in J&K, overseeing departments such as food and civil supplies and tribal affairs from 2015 to 2018.