Delimitation Has to Happen at A Quick Pace So That J&K Gets an Elected Government: PM
(Judicial Quest News Network)
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has called today’s meeting with political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir an important step in the ongoing efforts towards a developed and progressive J&K, where all-round growth is furthered.
In a series of Tweets after meeting, the Prime Minister said.
“Today’s meeting with political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir is an important step in the ongoing efforts towards a developed and progressive J7K, where all-round growth is furthered.
Our priority is to strengthen the grass roots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J7K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J& K’s development trajectory.
Our democracy’s biggest strength is the ability to sit across a table and exchange views. I told the leaders of J&K that it is the people, especially the youth who have to provide political leadership to J& K, and ensure their aspirations are duly fulfilled.
Further PM said that statehood would be restored “at an appropriate time” but urged the parties to get on board with delimitation to enable elections.
In this significant meeting fourteen mainstream Jammu and Kashmir leaders from eight political parties, including four Chief Ministers, attended the meeting aimed at setting on course the political process in the region after it lost its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution of India in 2019 and was downgraded from a state to two union territories Jammu and Kashmir and Ladhak.
PM Modi, say sources, said statehood would be restored “at an appropriate time “but urged the parties to get on board with delimitation or the redrawing of the assembly constituencies to enable elections. Elections can happen soon after delimitations, it was said, and “most participants expressed willingness for it”, said sources.
“The main focus of the meeting was to strengthen the democratic process.PM said that we are fully committed to the democratic process in J7K.He stressed that the holding assembly elections just like the successful conduct of District Development council elections is a priority” government sources.
Former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and his son Omer Abdullah of the National Conference met with Prime Minister Modi last on August 1,2019. They were stunned when three days later on August 4. They were detained and hours later, the abrogation of Article 370 was announced in Parliament.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah while announcing the colossal decision in parliament, had said that full statehood would be “restored at an appropriate time “. After today’s meeting. Mr. Shah tweeted. The future of Jammu and Kashmir was discussed and the delimitation exercise and peaceful elections are important milestones in restoring statehood as promised in parliament.
Talking to the reporters after the meeting Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said five demands—–granting of statehood, conducting assembly elections to restore democracy, rehabilitation of Jammu and Kashmir Pandits in J&K, Release of all political detainees and that on Domicile rules—- were put forward during their talks with the PM.
Terming the meeting “cordial “and “positive” , people’s conference leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said PM Modi assured that he will do everything to make Jammu and Kashmir a zone of peace rather than a conflict.
The Centre sees it as a significant step towards the return of elected representatives and the holding of Assembly elections subsequently in the two UTs to end Central rule imposed in June 2018.
