The opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir have decided to hold a peaceful protest on October 10 to demand restoration of constitutional rights. This follows a meeting in Jammu on October 3 which was chaired by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. After a two-hour deliberation, the parties expressed deep concern over what they called “suspension of constitution” in the union territory.
One of the most pressing issues raised by the parties was the delay in conducting elections in J&K despite the finalization of the delimitation process and the voter list. The parties pointed out the inconsistency in government claims that “everything is fine” in the region while elections remained on hold.
While Assembly elections have not been on cards for some time now, the administration has also reversed its decision to hold the promised Urban Local Bodies and Panchayat elections. This has been a source of some unease in the union territory and the opposition parties are tapping into it.
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 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.
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 national elections is fading fast. This, despite the fact, that the entire political class in the UT, including 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 the Governor. Going forward, one can only hope that elections are held, if not this year or early next year, then at least simultaneously with the 2024 general elections
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