SrinagarWhatever be the Supreme Court’s verdict on legality of the government decision to abrogate Article 370, it could pave the way for, at least, the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. But when? No one is sure about the timing. A report by Riaz Wani
As the Supreme Court reserves its order on the constitutionality of the revocation of Article 370, Kashmir is waiting with bated breath for the verdict. Four years after the constitutional provision was withdrawn and J&K was downgraded into two federally administered areas, both the Assembly elections and the promised statehood continues to elude the former state minus Ladakh, which is now one of the two union territories.
Whatever be the verdict of the Supreme Court, it could pave the way for, at least, the Assembly elections in J&K. But when? No one is sure about the timing. More so, when general elections are just eight months away and there is no indication that the centre has any plans to hold Assembly polls in the union territory.
In fact, during the ongoing hearings of the Article 370 case in the Supreme Court, the union government told the Supreme Court that it cannot give any exact timeframe and it would take “some time” for restoration of statehood in Jammu and Kashmir while reiterating that the union territory status is “temporary”.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, however, said that the Central government is ready for elections at any time as updating of the voters’ list being carried out by the Election Commission is due to be completed soon. He said that the call for election will be taken by the State Election Commission and the Election Commission of India.
But in Jammu and Kashmir few people believe that Assembly elections are around the corner. In fact, few see any hope that polls will be held even after 2024 national elections. And could in all likelihood be further delayed should the BJP return to power, which it is favourite to do.
Such a prospect indefinitely delays the restoration of statehood.
“Elections and statehood in J&K don’t appear to be the priorities of the BJP government at the centre,” said a Kashmir University teacher who didn’t want to be identified. “The reason seems not to let the grip the central government has acquired over the situation in the union territory slip and also to take the execution of its roadmap for the region to its logical conclusion.”
