Srinagar- Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Thursday demanded immediate elections in Jammu & Kashmir, saying that he will prefer the government of his worst political rival than “an alien government which is deluded to believe that they are stakeholders and have political and social sanctity”.
Taking to micro-blogging website X, Lone said that elections should be held on time.
“It is imperative that Assembly elections are held on time. I honestly believe that only an administration accountable to the people of J&K has the right to rule and administer J and K,” Lone said.
He said a non-elected government will never be acceptable in any part of India.
“Let my worst electoral rival be elected. I will million times prefer that government to an alien government which is deluded to believe that they are stakeholders and have political and social sanctity. They don’t. They never will. Not here. Not in any part of India will a non-resident government be acceptable. Will those who are at the helm of affairs here accept non-resident governments in their own states,” he said.
Lone said that the Government of India should give back statehood and hold elections and handover everything to the new government. “A humble appeal to the GOI. End this pain. Stop behaving like an individual. And start behaving like an institution. First give statehood back. Not as a matter of charity. But as a matter of right. Hold elections and handover everything to the new government. Good or bad. People will elect. And elected will rule. As in the rest of the country. No government is perfect. No government will be perfect. With all its imperfections like in other states let the new elected government assume office,” he said
Prove Security Forces’ Supremacy: Omar
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Thursday said assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir should be held in time to prove the supremacy of security forces over terrorists, who have carried out a spate of attacks in Jammu region recently.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function here, Abdullah said there is no normalcy in the union territory.
“There is no normalcy. But, is the situation worse than 1996? If yes, then let them not conduct the elections. If they want to bow down before these powers who are attacking, then don’t conduct the election. If you have to prove the supremacy of the militancy, rather than proving the supremacy of our armed forces and police, then don’t conduct the elections,” he said.
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J-K, said if the government has courage, then elections should be conducted.
“If you don’t have the courage, and are afraid, then don’t. But, if you have to show the supremacy of our police and forces, if our rulers have some courage, then why should they bow down before these powers. Then elections should be conducted on time, and the people of J-K should chose their own government,” he added.
Asked about the BCCI’s decision not to sent cricket team to Pakistan to play there, Abdullah said this is not something new.
“We have not witnessed a bilateral series in either countries for many years now. It is the BCCI’s own decision whether to send the team to play a tournament,” he said.
The NC leader said it is not the responsibility of our country alone to improve the relations between the two countries.
“The responsibility of Pakistan on improving the relations is much more, it should stop the attacks, the prevalent atmosphere should improve. Pakistan has to play its role in improving the relations between the two countries,” he added.
The Jammu region has been shaken by a series of ambushes and terror attacks, particularly in the border districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, and Reasi
To a question on NEET examination, Abdullah said there should be a decision on the exam sooner.
“It is a grave injustice with the future of the youth. We hope a decision is taken soon whether it is by way of an inquiry, or court or the government,” he said.
The NC vice president said the party would bring out a comprehensive package for women in its manifesto for the elections.
A lot has to be done to give them a status in the society, and a share in the development of J-K. We are formulating a scheme, a package for women in our manifesto, he said.
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