Assembly polls hopefully soon: LG

Jammu, Aug 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, while asserting that pronouncing the date of election was the exclusive right of Election Commission of India (ECI), Sunday hoped that assembly polls in J&K would be held soon.

He also invoked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi while reminiscing his (PM’s) similar statement, on this account, made during his visit to Srinagar in June.

Regarding restoration of statehood to J&K, the Lieutenant Governor referred to the assertion of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Parliament on August 5, 2019.

He reiterated that things were taking place in J&K, as per sequence spelt out by him (Shah) there (in Lok Sabha) and (restoration of J&K) statehood, would follow assembly elections, “at appropriate time.”

LG Sinha was responding to media queries here, after inaugurating the new building of Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre at University of Jammu.

“All of you are aware that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June this year had come to Srinagar on the occasion of International Yoga Day. He, too, had stated that assembly elections in J&K would be held at the earliest,” the Lieutenant Governor recalled, in reply to the query about the assembly elections in J&K.

On this count, to elucidate his point, he also mentioned the recent visit of the ECI team to assess poll preparedness of assembly elections in J&K.

“Following it recently, the Election Commission team visited here (in J&K) and returned after holding deliberation with the political parties, administrative people and all other stakeholders. However, what will be the date of election, I believe that it (to announce schedule) will be the sole prerogative of the Election Commission,” he said, while answering a question about the exact date of the assembly election in J&K.

“As on August 5, 2019, the Union Home Minister had stated in the Parliament that (there would be) delimitation first, followed by assembly election and then statehood at (an) appropriate time. Things are happening in the same sequence. Thus, assembly elections in J&K, I hope, will be held soon,” LG Sinha said, in reply to a question about (restoration of) statehood to J&K.

Earlier during the day, the Lieutenant Governor, in an exclusive interview with a national news agency, said that the UT administration was fully prepared to conduct assembly elections in J&K. He exuded confidence that assembly polls would be free and fair.

With regard to the security scenario, he said that there would be a big change in situation in the next three months.

Accusing Pakistan of sending highly trained foreign terrorists in J&K to destabilise the security situation, LG Sinha said that a stratagem was prepared to foil its design.

WHAT PM HAD STATED DURING HIS SRINAGAR VISIT IN JUNE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to  Srinagar in June this year - his first visit to the UT after assuming charge as the Prime Minister for the third consecutive time- stated that the government was making all possible efforts to bridge all distances and preparations of assembly elections in J&K had started.

“With full dedication and honesty, I’m working to ensure that a way out of the past generation’s miseries may be found. We are making all possible effort to remove all distances whether of the heart or of Delhi (Dil ya Dilli),” PM Modi had stressed, in his address.

He emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach every family and person. He said that every penny of central assistance was being spent on the welfare of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

“What can be better than the people of Jammu & Kashmir selecting their representative and tackling their problems through them. That is why preparations for the assembly elections have started. The day is not far when you will select the new government of Jammu & Kashmir with your own vote. The day will come soon when Jammu & Kashmir will shape its future as a state once again,” PM Modi had said.

WHAT CEC SAID IN PRESSER AFTER ASSESSMENT OF POLL PREPAREDNESS FOR J&K ASSEMBLY POLLS, ON AUGUST 9, 2024

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar had stated that the J&K (assembly) election schedule would be announced in Delhi after “review of security assessment and forces’ requirements.”

In the same breath, he asserted that small security concerns, erupted after LS polls on account of efforts to upset positive momentum, would never disrupt the impending poll process or form a basis to defer polls.

CEC stated this, while addressing a press conference in Jammu before winding up a two-day visit of the ECI team, headed by him and also comprising Election Commissioners (ECs) Gyanesh Kumar and Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, to J&K. Team was on a visit to review poll-preparedness for the general election to J&K.

Referring to overwhelming participation of people in Lok Sabha (LS) polls, CEC said that the time was ripe for holding elections in J&K to give people their own elected government

“Some small (situational) changes, following parliamentary polls, have erupted to disturb the peaceful atmosphere, with the objective to obstruct the (assembly) poll process. But they (efforts to vitiate a conducive atmosphere) cannot disrupt the impending poll process, under any circumstances. They can never form the basis to defer polls. Whatever is the situation, the administration should be proficient enough to deal with it and it (J&K) is well-capable of that (dealing with any situation). It has demonstrated its resolve,” CEC had stated.

“As regards the query about announcement vis-à-vis timing or schedule of J&K assembly election is concerned, our state-level review has been completed. (Amarnath) Yatra will also culminate on August 19. Now, we will review security assessment and forces’ requirements in Delhi. Then, following established practice, first of all, we’ll share it with the media only (in a presser in Delhi) as to when exactly elections are to be conducted here,” CEC said, about the exact dates vis-à-vis the J&K assembly election schedule.