Srinagar, June 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement indicating that the process for Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls has begun and that statehood for Jammu & Kashmir is imminent.
The PDF Chairman, Hakeem Yaseen, termed this announcement as the dawn of new hope, saying that the Centre should announce both the assembly elections and statehood simultaneously.
In a statement issued here, Hakeem said that the Prime Minister’s announcement would end the prevailing socio-political uncertainty in the region. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have been suffering due to the absence of an elected government for the past 10 years. The statement from the Prime Minister has brought significant relief to the populace,” he said, adding that the Centre could no longer afford to deny the democratic rights of the people.
The former minister criticised the “proxy government”, saying it has failed to deliver on all fronts and that there is a deep disconnect between the bureaucracy and the common people. “A proxy government can never be a substitute for a civilian government, as people are unable to get redressal for their grievances without their own public representatives and legislature,” he said.
Expressing confidence, the PDF Chairman said that the long-delayed assembly elections would likely be held before September, the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court. He urged the Election Commission of India to release the poll calendar as early as possible so that intending political parties and other stakeholders can begin necessary preparations.
