Restore Statehood Prior To Assembly Elections: DDC Member
Jammu, Feb 22: The District Development Council member from Suchetgarh Taranjit Singh Tony on Tuesday questioned the logic behind restoring statehood after holding the Assembly elections in JK and demanded that the government should act prudently by reversing the sequence. The DDC member in a statement issued here welcomed the announcement made by Home Minister Amit Shah for holding Assembly elections in J&K a within year’s time after the completion of ongoing delimitation process in the UT which is expected to culminate within two three months as already draft report has been presented to associate members and suggestions and objections have been received for further action.
He, however, raised a point that Amit Shah has not spoken about restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “Not restoring statehood before the Assembly polls shows that BJP is very sure of debacle in coming elections and because of that it is on back foot,” he said. “Had they been very sure of winning the elections in J&K and forming the next government as they claim in their slogans, they would have restored the statehood before the elections,” he said.
Therefore, it is advisable to first restore statehood after completion of the Delimitation process in J&K and then conduct polls to install popular government. Tony said that at different point of times both PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have assured to restore the statehood of J&K “therefore delaying the same is pointless as people want statehood back and a popular government which can resolve their issues on priority as the bureaucratic rule in the UT has failed to impress people because none of their problems have been taken up by the incumbent administration and many segments of society are on roads seeking justice and a fair deal”, he said. “The Centre should understand the urgency of restoring the statehood of J&K and thereafter installation of a popular government because the present dispensation in the UT is acting in a merciless manner showing no connection with the people whether they belong to Kashmir region or Jammu region,” the DDC member said.
