For the umpteenth time, a senior BJP leader has confirmed that Assembly polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be held soon, although he didn’t give any timeframe. Tarun Chug expressed confidence in his party’s prospects in the elections. The saffron party, however, didn’t perform up to expectations in the recent election to Kargil district’s Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
Chugh took due note of the fact that delimitation of Assembly constituencies is complete. And also that the voter list has already been prepared and shared with political parties for their feedback and objections. Going by these preparations, the stage seems to be set for Assembly elections to take place in the near future.
But it is also true that the polls seem unlikely in Jammu and Kashmir anytime soon considering that we are on the brink of a new year. And while several other states across the country are heading into Assembly polls, there are no signs that Jammu and Kashmir will follow suit. And the next year, the national polls are due to be held by May which leaves little chance for Assembly polls in J&K.
That said, if the central government is interested, the elections can still be held in the union territory. For example, there can be a possibility of elections being held simultaneously with the national polls. 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.
The political parties in J&K have been pressing for early Assembly polls. 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, even when delimitation has been completed. And this is happening at a time when, for once, there is a palpable desire for elections in the region. Here’s hoping that Chug’s promise of polls comes true.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
