Amit Shah Announces Roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir: Assembly Elections Before September, Statehood Restoration to Follow.

||Black and White Digital News||

||Tejveer Singh , May 26||

In a landmark announcement that signals a significant political shift, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has confirmed that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held before September 30, followed by the restoration of statehood to the region. This declaration came after the successful conclusion of parliamentary polls in the area, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s governance.

In an exclusive interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Shah stated, “We have completed the delimitation process. Reservation can only be provided post-delimitation as it requires the status of various castes. With the Lok Sabha election in J&K concluded, the next step is the assembly election, which we will conduct before the Supreme Court’s deadline.”

**Key Highlights:**

1. **Supreme Court Directive:**

On December 11, 2023, the Supreme Court mandated the Election Commission of India (ECI) to organize elections in J&K by September 30, 2024. Shah’s announcement aligns with this directive, ensuring compliance with the highest court’s orders.

2. **Vindication of Policy:**

Shah emphasized that the smooth conduct of the parliamentary polls in J&K is a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Kashmir policy. “The successful polling in J&K reflects the vindication of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s Kashmir policy,” he asserted.

3. **Historical Context and Future Plans:**

Addressing the long-standing issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Shah remarked that PoK could have been part of India if not for what he described as a premature ceasefire by the Jawaharlal Nehru government during the first Indo-Pak war in 1947-48. “Had the ceasefire been declared four days later, PoK would have been with us,” he said. He highlighted that the merger of PoK with India requires extensive national discussions, underlining its significance.

4. **BJP’s Manifesto Commitment:**

Shah reiterated that the integration of PoK is part of the BJP’s manifesto. He pointed out that a unanimous Parliamentary resolution supports this goal. “The Congress party may not realize it, but they also voted for it,” he noted, emphasizing the broad political consensus on this issue.

**Path Forward:**

The delimitation process, which determines the reservation status for various castes, is now complete. This was a necessary step before the assembly elections could be scheduled. The Home Minister’s commitment to holding these elections before the Supreme Court’s deadline demonstrates the government’s resolve to re-establish democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, the promise to restore statehood post-elections marks a significant move towards normalcy and self-governance for the region, which has been under direct central rule since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

**Implications for Regional Stability:**

The announcement is likely to have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. The move to hold elections and restore statehood is expected to bolster democratic processes and could pave the way for enhanced socio-economic development in the region.

In conclusion, the Union Home Minister’s declaration marks a transformative phase for Jammu and Kashmir. With assembly elections slated before the end of September and statehood restoration on the agenda, the region stands on the brink of a new era of governance and integration within the Indian Union. The successful execution of these plans will not only reaffirm the Modi government’s commitment to the region but also potentially bring about a long-awaited sense of normalcy and stability to its residents.