news details |
|
|
| Political parties need space | | |
As the Delimitation Panel assigned the job to redraw assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir is about to submit its report, the political parties in newly carved out Union Territory have intensified their political activities.
During the past few days parties are holding rallies and conventions in Jammu, Srinagar and other areas. These political formations are trying to send a message that they are ready for the elections and they should be allowed to carry on with their political activities.
On Sunday Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not allowed to hold the youth convention at Mehbooba Mufti’s residence in Srinagar. The police cited security reasons for disallowing the political gathering while Mehbooba accused the administration of denying space to the political parties for their activities. “On one side the government says that the convention cannot be held due to imposition of COVID-19 restrictions, on the other they said that there is a chance of some subversive activity,” Mehbooba said.
When Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited J&K in October this year he laid down the road map by stating that after the delimitation exercise is over, assembly elections will be held and then only statehood would be restored.
Political parties in J&K are aware of the fact that after August 5, 2019—when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate Article 370 and divided the erstwhile state into two union territories—political scenario has changed and it’s going to witness more change after the assembly and parliamentary constituencies are redrawn.
These parties need space and administration should allow them to carry on with their political activities. The polls could be held early next year and for that political parties need to be ready. This time around traditional parties i.e. The National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won’t find it easy. These elections are not going to be a cake walk. The Bharatiya Janata Party which won 25 out of 37 assembly seats in 2014 assembly elections is also set to face a tough time as many local parties in Jammu region are all set to challenge the saffron party. Many people in Jammu region believe that when BJP shared power with PDP it acted as second fiddle and its leaders failed to live up to the expectations of the people.
The administration needs to understand that political parties need to be given space as bureaucrats cannot keep on ruling J&K forever. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
