Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 17: The proposed visit of the full team of the Election Commission of India during the second week of March has fueled rumours of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Although top officials are tightlipped over the timing of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, a group within the BJP is advocating that Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir must be held with the Lok Sabha elections to reap the political benefits of the prevailing wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sources said that the central leadership of the BJP is also thinking about holding maiden assembly elections in the UT of J&K with the general elections because party leadership is hopeful of getting votes of the Pahari ethnic group in the elections.
Sources said that during the last session of the Parliament BJP-led NDA government has passed all important bills related to the J&K and now party leadership is thinking that it is high time to go for assembly polls.
While delivering the historic verdict on Article 370 and 35-A in December 2023, the Supreme Court of India had asked the central government to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by 30 September 2024 and restore statehood at the earliest.
“We direct that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission of India to conduc The proposed ECI visit has fueled rumours of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in J&K.
A group within the BJP is advocating that Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir must be held with the Lok Sabha elections.
The central leadership of the BJP is also thinking about holding maiden assembly elections in the J&K with the general elections.
J&K has been without an elected government since June 2018 when BJP dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jammu and Kashmir is without an elected government since June 2018 when BJP dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed by the resignation of the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Five months later, on November 28, 2018, then Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the legislative assembly minutes after Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP staked a claim to form the government with the support of Congress and the National Conference.
A month later on December 19, 2018, then President Ram Nath Kovind issued a proclamation promulgating President's Rule in J&K under article 356 of the Constitution of India.
Eight months later on August 5, 2019, the BJP government abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Important to mention here that according to unconfirmed reports, the full-Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory on March 12 and 13.
Reports said that the Election Commission of India comprising the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners would visit J&K, likely on March 12 and 13, to review preparedness for Lok Sabha polls to be held in April and May. | 