Elections will provide self-rule, Autonomy: Dr Jitendra singh

Srinagar: Terming District Development Council (DDC) elections as real introduction of self-rule and autonomy in the region, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and MoS in Prime Minister’s office Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that DDC elections are beginning of a new chapter in the history of democracy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Jitendra Singh who was in one day tour to Kashmir while addressing the media in Srinagar said, “After waiting for over 73 years, grassroots democracy has been introduced into Jammu and Kashmir and those people who for over 50 years were talking of self-rule and autonomy must introspect now”.
“Whereas, a DDC election is not just a political election but also a great pledge and a determination on the part of Modi government, to make people of Jammu and Kashmir realize and be benefited with same privileges and advantages of grassroots democracy which are available in rest of the country”, he added.
Dr Jintendra Singh added, “As we know DDC elections are introduced for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory and in the first phase and we saw an average of 50 per cent voting in valley while some areas saw around 40 percent. And, if we compare same it with the polling percentage of Lok Sabha elections which were held last time here, the percentage was higher”.
He added, “The reason being voting percentage saw rise in number during DDC elections is because people saw involvement of local people in elections as a candidate rather than the dynasty rule which was prevailing during the parliament elections in Kashmir”.
“While aspirational outlet has been provided by the local bodies and by local government in the shape of DDC and Panch, Sarpanch elections and which has been there reason why people have shown enthusiasm in DDC election as they feel leader being elected is from them as compared to state of affairs election which existed during 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which saw candidates from dynasty rule”, he added.
He further said that I believe in times to come, this is going to assure and adherer not only a new era in the democracy of Jammu and Kashmir but also in the mind set of people in this region as democratic inspiration is same as it knows no boundaries and religion. And that is kind of political culture Modi government seeks to set up her.
Taking a dig at political parties, he said, “Why didn't these political parties (NC and PDP) resign from Raj Sabha and Lok Sabha over the issue of Abrogation of Article 370. Instead, these parties decided to sit in the Parliament and enjoy perks. Three National Conference MPs and two from the PDP were present in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha when the announcement of scrapping of Article 370 and 35 A was made.
“All these members remained silent and didn’t raise voice then. While the parliament represents 1.35 Crore people including those from J&K”, he added.
Reacting to Mehbooba Mufti’s statement on DDC first phase elections, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Just because the voting turnout was over 50 percent in first phase DDC elections that is why such statements were made. While to nullify the credibility to those 50 per cent voting turn outs, statements were made those people who were elected by mere 10 per cent voting. Whereas, had voting turnout just been 10 per cent, these leaders would have said this is the referendum for Article 370 which of course did not happened”.
“And, now the voting percent were 50 percent, these leaders have said that voting was electricity and roads and not for Article 370. One should ask these leaders that are there two ballet boxes as voting turnout in large numbers were the aspiration of expression of the people”, he added.
“Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in Srinagar has become a vested interest for a large section that includes the political spectrum, business world and Roshni scam is its one aspect”, he added. Asked about the Roshni Act, Dr Jintendra Singh said, “Whosoever is involved in Roshni Scam and it does not mean to which party they belong, action will be taken against them as there will no biasness”.
Asked about the restoration of 4g internet in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Jintendra Singh said, “Yes students are suffering but then there are two things with regard with the restoration of high speed internet one is that the matter is sub-judice in Supreme Court and secondly centre government have different methodology with regards to security inputs and we as a party members that is far from us to take any decision as recently we saw an incident in Jammu”.

Updated On 12/1/2020 11:27:13 AM