J&K Assembly elections soon: Murmu

JAMMU: In a significant statement hinting at return of elected dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir in the near future, Lieutenant Governor (LG) Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday said the election process for the Legislative Assembly will begin soon in the union territory.
"Election will come. Union Territory of J&K has an assembly for which the election will be held soon. It will not continue like this (LG's rule)," he said, at the passing out parade of police at Talwara, Reasi in Jammu region.
"The process for holding the election will come soon," Murmu said.
This was the first public speech made by Murmu after assuming office as the first Lieutenant Governor of jammu and Kashmir, a Union Territory now, on October 31.
He said he was hopeful that like Lok Sabha polls, people will also participate in the assembly polls.
Asking the police force to get ready for shouldering their responsibility, the LG said there will be an important role for the men in uniform (in the forthcoming election).
"You (police) will have an important role to play in upcoming elections," he added.
The last elected government of Jammu and Kashmir was BJP-PDP coalition which fell on June 19, 2018 after the saffron party withdrew its support, leading to imposition of Governor’s rule, followed by President’s rule.
In a historic decision the BJP government at Centre revoked Article 370 on August 5 and split Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Unlike Ladakh, UT of J&K can elect a legislative assembly and a chief minister with the total strength of ministers not exceeding the 10 per cent of the total strength of the assembly.
The Centre is grappling with the issue of filling the political vacuum after the move on Article 370. Most of the important political leaders of Kashmir like Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are still in detention since August 5. Around 50 other leaders from different political parties are also under detention at Centaur Hotel which has been declared as a sub jail.
Efforts by the BJP to fill the political vacuum have so far not met with success. The Centre is in contact with leaders like Altaf Bukhari, Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the PDP, Usman Majeed of the Congress and others.
The four leaders were recently invited on lunch hosted in honour of Members of European Parliament (MEPs) who visited Kashmir on October 29.
It may be recalled that Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Nirmal Kumar Singh met the LG at the Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday.
The statement of Murmu, who took over as the first LG of the Union territory on October 31, will come as a relief to political parties.
The BJP leaders in Jammu have welcomed Murmu’s statement.
“Governor’s rule or President’s rule is a temporary solution, but in democracy it is not a permanent solution. To run a state or a Union Territory, stable government is very important,” said Kavinder Gupta, the last deputy chief minister of erstwhile State.
“During the Governor rule in Jammu and Kashmir, we have observed that people want a stable government, so that they will get a proper representation of their voices which is not possible in absence of Legislative Assembly,” he said.
“I think after the successful conduction of BDC and panchayat elections it is important that the assembly polls should be conducted, and we (BJP) want this as well,” Gupta added.
BJP’s J&K chief, Ravinder Raina, also welcome the assertions by Murmu.
“Situation of Jammu and Kashmir is getting better rapidly and we also want the conduct of Assembly polls as early as possible,” Raina said.
He, however, said that the final call in this regard is to be taken by Election Commission.
“Whatever decision will be taken by Election commission, we will support it,” Raina said.
Earlier in his address at the Attestation-cum-Passing out Parade, Murmu said the J&K Police has faced the challenge of terrorism very boldly.
Referring to the recent snowfall and inclement weather conditions, the Lt governor said the cooperation of police force is very important for relief and rescue operations.
He said all the people have the responsibility of developing the Union Territory by implementing the welfare schemes and programmes with utmost devotion and dedication in an accelerated manner.
"The passing out jawans should serve the public with utmost devotion and dedication. The Jammu and Kashmir Police faced the challenge of terrorism very boldly and gave huge sacrifices," Murmu said.
In his speech, DGP Dilbag Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir Police has fought a war against terrorism and because of the sacrifices, the terrorism is on its last legs and needs a final assault to neutralize it forever.
He asked constables to perform and fulfill the intent of the oath which they have taken today.
Singh also thanked the Centre for enhancing remuneration of SPOs and increasing ex-gratia amount for the families of those killed in the line of duty.
Anil Kumar Katoch, Principal STC, Talwara, while giving details of Attestation-cum-Passing out Parade, informed that 1152 candidates today completed their training course for recruitment as Constables.
On this occasion, Tariq Ahmad was declared All-round best performer. He was conferred with a Selection Grade promotion.