SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements during his recent visit to Srinagar and the Election Commission’s announcement for special revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir have raised hopes of early assembly polls in the Union Territory.
The revision of electoral rolls will start in J&K on July 25 and culminate on August 20, according to EC. “After the exercise is over, the EC may announce holding of assembly polls in the UT any time,” a poll official said.
In December last year, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to hold assembly polls in J&K before September 30. It would be the first assembly polls in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two union territories on August 5, 2019. The last Assembly polls in J&K were held in 2014. J&K is presently under the direct rule of the Centre.
With a record voter turnout in the recently held Lok Sabha polls in J&K, especially Kashmir, it is likely that the voter turnout may be higher in the state polls in which local issues will figure, analysts said.
The five LS seats in J&K -- the first major electoral exercise post Article 370 abrogation -- recorded voter turnout of 58.58%, the highest in the last 35 years. After the PM’s statements, political parties hope that polls will be held before the Supreme Court deadline. Not to lose the momentum the government, instead of waiting for more time especially after recent militant attacks in Jammu region, may prefer to hold assembly polls early, political observers said.
“After the BJP’s vote share shrunk in the five LS seats in J&K, there was apprehension among political parties that the central government may not hold assembly polls immediately. But PM Modi’s remarks on assembly polls have reignited hopes of early polls in the UT. Parties may go into poll mode and prepare strategies ,” a political analyst said.
Since the nearly two-month Amarnath yatra would be completed by August 25, troops engaged in yatra duty will be deployed for election duties in the UT. After completion of the delimitation exercise following abrogation of Article 370, J&K’s Assembly seats increased from 83 to 90, with 47 seats in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu region.
Of the 90 seats, seven seats have been reserved for SCs and nine for STs in the J&K assembly.
‘Those helping militants to be booked under EAA’
J&K DGP R R Swain on Sunday said that militancy in Jammu would be wiped out in two-three months and warned that the locals who are found involved in supporting foreign militants in any form would be booked under the Enemy Agents Act (EAA), which is harsher than the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He said militants active in Jammu region will be eliminated as security forces are after them.