THE political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant changes since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. But the delayed Assembly elections have become a topic of concern. While defence minister Rajnath Singh has reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring the democratic process, the absence of a specific timeline has raised questions about the reasons behind the delay. Addressing a security conclave in Jammu on Monday, the defence minister emphasized that the government’s primary objective is to restore normalcy swiftly and fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the people. Singh also assured that the process to hold elections in the union territory won’t be lengthy. The assurance would go some way to make people in J&K happy.
Even as the country braces for 2024 general elections, there are no signs that the Assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. And with every passing month, the hope that the polls will be held in the union territory before the national elections is fading fast. This, despite the fact, that the entire political class in the UT, except the BJP, want the elections to be held in the near future.
J&K has not had an elected government since June 2018 when Governor’s rule was imposed after the PDP-led coalition government lost its majority following the withdrawal of support by the BJP. Subsequently, on August 5, 2019, New Delhi abrogated Article 370 that granted J&K special status under India’s constitution. Since then the Lieutenant Governor has taken over from Governor.
Earlier in March, a delegation of political leaders led by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah met the Election Commission of India, seeking early elections in the Union Territory. The delegation requested the ECI to hold elections as soon as possible now that the delimitation process had been completed. The political leaders also submitted a memorandum to the ECI, in which they called for the restoration of the democratic process in the UT. But there has been no election-related move from the Election Commission to hold the polls in the UT. And this is happening at a time when, for once, there is a palpable desire for elections in the region.
However, after the defence minister’s assurance, people would expect some concrete action on the holding of Assembly elections by the central goevrnment.It is now less than one year before general elections are held. So people would expect J&K polls to be held later this year, or early next year. However, things are likely to become clearer in the weeks and months to come.
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