Imperative that Assembly election be held on time in J&K: Sajad Lone
SRINAGAR, July 11: Peoples Conference president Sajad Lone on Thursday said it is imperative that Assembly elections are held on time in Jammu and Kashmir.
The spurt in militant attacks in Jammu region has cast a shadow over the much-awaited assembly elections in the Union Territory. The last assembly elections in erstwhile J&K state were held in 2014 and the UT is presently under the direct rule of the Centre.
Last month Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Kashmir visit said that preparations for Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have begun. In December last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to hold assembly polls in J&K before September 30.
“It is imperative that Assembly elections are held on time. I honestly believe that only an administration accountable to the people of J and K has the right to rule and administer J and K,” Lone posted on X.
PC president appealed to the Government of India GOI to end this pain and stop behaving like an individual.
“Let my worst electoral rival be elected. I will million times prefer that Government to an alien Government which is deluded to believe that they are stakeholders and have political and social sanctity.
They don’t. They never will. Not here. Not in any part of India will a non-resident Government be acceptable. Will those who are at the helm of affairs here accept non-resident governments in their own states. A humble appeal to the GOI. End this pain. Stop behaving like an individual. And start behaving like an institution,” he said.
“First give statehood back. Not as a matter of charity. But as a matter of right. Hold elections and handover everything to the new government,” he added. “Good or bad. People will elect. And elected will rule. As in the rest of the country.
No Government is perfect. No Government will be perfect. With all its imperfections like in other states let the new elected Government assume office . Stop giving an impression that you are at war with your own people in J and K,” Lone remarked. (Agencies)
