Choudhary Zulfikar Ali, a prominent Gujjar leader and former minister, has officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. His move follows a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, where they discussed regional issues affecting Rajouri and Poonch districts. Zulfikar, who has previously held significant roles in other political parties, is expected to enhance the BJP's influence in the Pir Panjal region. Concurrently, in Bihar, former Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party MLA Sunil Pandey has also joined the BJP, aiming to strengthen the party's position in the upcoming assembly by-elections. The Jammu and Kashmir elections are set to occur in three phases from September 18 to October 1, with counting on October 4. This political reshuffling marks a crucial period as various leaders switch allegiances ahead of the polls.