“Do a secret ballot; I will resign if less than 75% of people approve of the work done in the last 5 years.”
Vows to hold upcoming J&K polls in free & fair manner
Says people have rejected Pak’s conspiracy
Art 370 is a closed chapter, SC has settled it
“Whichever party wins, will have my full support’’
Three-phase Assembly elections in J&K after a decade
Srinagar, Sept 12: Hitting out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his ‘king’ remark, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said he would resign if less than 75% of the people say that work has been done for the welfare of the public in the last five years.
In an interview with a national news channel, Sinha responded sharply, suggesting a secret ballot to assess public opinion on his administration’s work since the abrogation of Article 370. “He [Rahul Gandhi] should take the opinion of the public. If more than 75% don’t say work has been done for their welfare, then I will resign,” Sinha declared.
Sinha also addressed the upcoming J&K Assembly elections, scheduled for September 18, asserting they would be “completely free and fair.” He assured voters of robust security arrangements, pointing to the improved situation in the region. “Even at 11 at night, people are going out to eat. Campaigning is also going on until midnight. The elections will be peaceful and fair,” he stated.
The Lieutenant Governor attributed the high voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha elections to the people’s trust in Indian democracy and their rejection of Pakistan’s attempts to undermine stability in the region. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those in the Valley, have expressed their faith in the democracy of India,” Sinha said.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s accusations that he governs like a monarch by handing contracts to outsiders, Sinha reiterated that his role as LG provides him with administrative powers in line with India’s Constitution. “Whichever party forms the next government in J&K, it will have my full support,” he said, referring to his position as an administrator under Union Territory law.
On the contentious issue of Article 370, Sinha affirmed that the special status of J&K is a matter of the past, emphasising that the Supreme Court had upheld its removal. “Article 370 is gone. The Congress and the opposition need to acknowledge this reality,” he asserted.
Sinha’s remarks come in the wake of Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir, where Gandhi criticised the Lieutenant Governor’s administration. At an election rally in Banihal on September 4, Gandhi accused Sinha of acting like a king, saying, “A king is sitting here in J&K who is named LG, who is taking your wealth and giving it to people from outside by bringing in contractors.”
Addressing concerns about security in the region, Sinha highlighted the significant improvements in law and order. “There is peace and a sense of security. People are going out late at night, and the atmosphere is conducive to a peaceful electoral process,” he said, underscoring the contrast with the situation before the abrogation of Article 370.
