National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has responded to Indian PM Narendra Modi’s recent remarks regarding the timing of elections of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) Assembly, highlighting the Indian Supreme Court’s directive that these elections must be conducted before September 30. Abdullah emphasized that this timeline is now a legal obligation for the Indian government to fulfill.
Accordintg to Kahmir Media Service, Omar Abdullah whle addressing a press interaction expressed that while it would have been preferable for Indian government to have conducted the polls in J&K earlier, given the Supreme Court’s ruling, it is now mandatory for them to adhere to the prescribed timeline.
He reiterated that the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict mandates the conduct of elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30.
Responding to Indian PM Modi’s assurance of reinstating statehood to IIOJK, Abdullah questioned the rationale behind the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, which led to the bifurcation of the region into two Indian territories in August 2019. He emphasized that while the abrogation of Article 370 may have been part of the government’s manifesto, the removal of statehood remains a perplexing decision.
Indian PM Modi, in a recent rally in Udhampur of IIOJK, reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring statehood to IIOJK and indicated that assembly polls would also be held soon. He assured the residents that they would regain their state status, allowing them to engage with their elected representatives and ministers.
Omar Abdullah, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Baramulla in IIOJK, noted the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the abrogation of Article 370 while directing the Election Commission to conduct elections in IIOJK before September 30, 2024.
The Lok Sabha polls in IIOJK are scheduled to take place in phases, with Udhampur going to polls on April 19, followed by Jammu on April 26, Islamabad-Rajouri on May 7, Srinagar on May 13, and Baramulla on May 20. —KMS
