SRINAGAR: During his visit, he said that those days are not far when Assembly elections would be held and statehood returned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unexpected statement regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood during his visit for the 10th International Yoga Day created a political bombshell, sparking a media frenzy and widespread public debate.
During his visit, he said that, those days are not far, when assembly elections would be held and statehood would be given back to the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K has been under central rule for the past six years and no elections have been held here since 2014. On August 05, 2019 J&K State was divided into two union territories of Ladakh and J&K while the special status under article 370 was also abrogated.
Prime Minister’s fresh assurance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the holding of assembly elections and restoration of statehood has enthused common people here.
Addressing the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Mr. Modi praised the people of Jammu & Kashmir for “keeping the flag of democracy high”, while referring to their participation in the Lok Sabha election.
“What can be better than the people of J&K electing their representative and tackling their problems through them? That is why preparations for the assembly elections have started. The day is not far when you will select the new government of J&K with your own vote. The day will come soon when J&K will shape its future as a State once again”, the Prime Minister said.
Though a spike in violence in the Jammu region hinted at deferment of assembly elections, the Prime Minister in Srinagar said that assembly polls would be held and all those forces which are trying to stop the march of progress and development in Jammu and Kashmir would be taught a lesson.
He also praised the youth of Jammu and Kashmir for their participation in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
With assurance from the Prime Minister in Srinagar, most of the political parties are already trying to prepare the ground by holding meetings with their workers for the coming assembly elections.
While addressing a gathering on the banks of Dal Lake on Friday, he said, “Yoga can become a way for getting more tourists to Kashmir and it will open new livelihood opportunities for the locals.”
The tourist season is already at its peak in Kashmir valley and according to the government sources all preparations are being done to hold the polls as soon as possible.
During his stay in Kashmir, Prime Minister also inaugurated scores of developmental projects worth over Rs 1500 crores.