Early Times Report
Jammu, June 21: With two senior ministers of Narendra Modi’s cabinet scheduled to visit Jammu in the coming days, speculations are rife that the Union Government is exploring the possibility of holding maiden assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
After back-to-back tours of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during public outreach programme, Union Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath are scheduled to visit the UT to address rallies.
Security arrangements are being made in Jammu ahead of two high-profile visits, including that of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 23 and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 26.
Shah is scheduled to address a public rally in Jammu to mark the “martyrdom day” of BJP ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He will also hold a review of security arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra, which will commence on July 1.
Security forces, especially the J&K Police, are focusing on securing all routes for Amarnath pilgrims. Rajnath will address a “Security Conclave” at Jammu on June 26.
For the last 15 days, BJP leadership is working overtime to make these high-profile visits historic.
Last week, BJP president Ravinder Raina put the onus on the Election Commission of India for the inordinate delay in conducting assembly elections in J&K.
He said that conducting elections is the job of the ECI. Neither government nor BJP can decide on it.
“It’s the job of the ECI to hold elections in J&K. The decision to hold polls is been decided by ECI, not by any party, President, or Prime Minister”, he said. |
