Govt Ready To Hold Elections In J&K Whenever EC Decides: Union Minister In LS
Union minister of state in the prime minister's office (PMO) stated, "whenever the EC announces it (Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election), we are ready."
Union minister Jitendra Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that the government is ready to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir whenever the Election Commission (EC) makes a final judgement on the topic, news agency PTI reported. Intervening in the debate over the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, the minister of state in the prime minister's office (PMO) stated, "whenever the EC announces it (Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election), we are ready."
He stated this in response to opposition parties' call for early Assembly elections in the Union Territory.
"The EC has its own mechanism of gathering inputs according to its requirements and it will take a final call. Let us all trust the wisdom of the EC and not appear to be interfering in its functioning," Singh was quoted by PTI in its report.
He went on to say that democracy must reach the grassroots, and that in the future, "we will do" what is best for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh blamed the Kashmir crisis on Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister after independence.
He further stated that the Congress should be grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for repealing the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that granted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir special status.
Singh stated that a number of initiatives have been implemented to guarantee development in the Union Territory.
Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah demanded an explanation from the BJP-led Centre for the absence of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Participating in the debate, Congress leader Manish Tewari inquired about the election and when Jammu and Kashmir's statehood will be restored.
He questioned why polls are not being held at a time when the treasury benches say that normality has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tewari further stated that constitutional propriety requires the government to desist from enacting these laws while a case involving the Constitution (Amendment) Act pertaining to the repeal of Article 370 is pending before the Supreme Court.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who was present during the discussion, stated that he will respond in depth to all of the problems highlighted by opposition members.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Jamyang Tsering Namgyal stated that peace in Jammu and Kashmir is "more important" than elections.
He stated that after the repeal of Article 370, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved and investments have begun to flow in.
Intervening, Union Minister Anurag Thakur stated that while it is tragic when security personnel are murdered, the opposition should not forget that 45,000 people perished in Jammu and Kashmir during the 70-year tyranny.
Hasnain Masoodi, a National Conference (NC) MP, has also called for early elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
He stated that the administration should tell the country the reality rather than spreading the idea of normality in Jammu and Kashmir.
Masoodi further claimed that unemployment in the Union Territory is rising.
Supriya Sule of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also called for early elections, saying the government should present a comprehensive bill on reservation to address the expectations of people across the country.
Kaushalendra Kumar of the Janata Dal-United requested that Assembly elections be held in Jammu and Kashmir.
Trending News
Top Headlines
