New Delhi: All efforts are being made to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir, after the delimitation process gets over, said BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Telangana in an exclusive interview with IANS.
When asked while removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and reorganizing the state, it was promised that Legislative Assembly elections will be held at an appropriate time, what is the preparation for this, Chugh replied: “The removal of Article 370 has been welcomed by all. Democracy has been strengthened. On the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted in lakhs and have shown faith in the policies of the government. Preparations are afoot to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir soon. The matter of delimitation is already being looked into by the Election Commission. After the delimitation work is completed, the central government will take a decision on it soon”.
When asked that the same question is being asked again and again that when will the Legislative Assembly elections be held in J&K, Chugh replied: “Elections will be held soon. As we told you, the central government wants to hold the elections as soon as possible,”. To a question about what will be the target of the BJP in the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and whether the party will contest elections alone or join other parties as well, the senior BJP leader said: “It is too early to say anything on this. Let the elections be announced first, then the party will see what to do”.
On the recent targeted killings in Kashmir, Chugh responded saying: “This is a conspiracy of Pakistan and ISI to spread terror in the Kashmir Valley and Indian security forces will deal with it effectively. Jammu and Kashmir has moved from terrorism to tourism. People have realized that for so many decades Abdullah, Mufti and Congress have fooled them.
Pakistan will be defeated in its nefarious design. The Modi government is continuously working on the eradication of terrorism and taking the UT to the path of development and ensuring security to all. Terrorists killed 2,081 people during 2004-2014 while 239 civilians were killed during 2014 to 2021, which is again a testimony of peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir”. To a question that the opposition parties keep raising the demand for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir again and as BJP in-charge, what was his take, Chugh said: “All such people should understand that J&K has moved on. A new chapter of development and progress is being written.
The decision about restoring statehood will be taken at the right time”. Replying to a question that it was a common complaint of the people of Ladakh that the pace of their development is very slow and to what extent has the BJP able to resolve the grievances of the people in the UT, Chugh said: “Ladakh remained neglected for decades due to the policies of Abdullah and Mufti. The Ladakh region was never respected, but now new development works are taking place and people of Ladakh are feeling proud of it. The Centre will make Ladakh a developed region where people will find new avenues of development and progress and connectivity”.