National Conference Vice-President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Thursday that every political party and citizen desires elections in J&K. The sole dissenter in this regard, he noted, is the Lieutenant Governor who opposes the holding of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar responded to a query about the Ministry of Home Affairs’ decision to defer polls until after the expected Parliamentary elections in April-May 2024.
“National Conference is ready for the polls from day one. We have been advocating for elections, but we are aware that the BJP will not hold elections in J&K. They understand that the people, not just in Kashmir but also in the Jammu region, will respond resoundingly if elections are conducted,” Omar Abdullah stated, as per KNS, during his conversation with reporters in Srinagar.
He remarked that the Central Government is not inclined to hold Urban Local Body (ULB), Panchayat, or Assembly elections in J&K. “Conducting Parliamentary polls in 2024 is their compulsion, as they know the people will teach them a lesson through their votes,” he added.
Regarding the opposition meeting convened by NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah in Jammu, Omar mentioned that it is constructive to mutually discuss the current political situation. “Opposition leaders will convene and deliberate on the prevailing uncertain political situation in J&K,” he said.
In response to a query, the former CM expressed that there should be no objection to J&K becoming a terror-free region if DGP Dilbagh Singh is asserting their commitment to achieving this goal. He added, “Our party has lost thousands of leaders and workers during the turmoil. If the DGP is dedicated to playing his role, we will also play our part. Let him work towards making J&K a terror-free place.”
However, he pointed out that the Kokernag encounter revealed the gap between claims of peace being established in J&K and the actual situation. “Our efforts should go beyond statements, as we know that the Kokernag encounter exposed the tall claims of peace in J&K,” he added.
The former Chief Minister of J&K advocated for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), stating, “Let them make Jammu and Kashmir a terror-free place, and then revoke AFSPA, which has been in place for decades.”
He emphasised that every individual in J&K desires elections and an elected government, but the only opposition comes from Lieutenant Governor J&K Manoj Sinha. (KNS)