Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address to Jammu and Kashmir during his third term, promised assembly elections and the return of statehood. His statement came while he was addressing a youth programme at Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on Thursday.
Jammu and Kashmir, bifurcated into two Union territories in 2019, lost its special status and has been anticipating the statehood promised by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The last assembly election in the region took place in 2014, and the call for fresh elections has been long-standing.
"Preparations have started for the assembly election. That time is not far when you can choose the government with your vote," PM Modi said. This statement was met with enthusiastic applause. He further added, "That day is not far either when Jammu and Kashmir can decide its own future as a state".
The return to statehood has been a major topic expected to be addressed during PM Modi's third term, although no official announcement has been made by the government. It was anticipated that statehood would be restored following the assembly election, with preparations accelerated after the Supreme Court's September deadline.
"The people of Jammu and Kashmir elect their representatives at the local level, through them you find ways to solve problems, what can be better than this? Therefore, now the preparations for the Assembly elections have also started. The time is not far when you will elect the new government of Jammu and Kashmir with your votes," PM Modi said at the event.
He further added, "The whole world is witnessing the changes in Kashmir Valley...Humara Kashmir kitna aage badh gaya hai'...You will see that the International Yoga Day celebration will also become an attraction for tourists".
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