The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The elections in the state will be held in three phases. All the parties are readying themselves for the upcoming elections. The National Conference released its election manifesto on Monday (August 19) evening. Through this, the National Conference has given 12 promises to the people of the state. These include the abrogation of Article 370 and the restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It also includes the implementation of the Autonomy Resolution passed by the then Assembly in 2000.
In June 2000, the Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference government had passed a resolution in the Assembly. They were demanding the restoration of the pre-1953 constitutional status. However, the demand was rejected by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Promise to Kashmiri Pandits
On August 5, 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. It also bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Meanwhile, the National Conference (NC) has demanded special status for Jammu and Kashmir. He also announced the release of political prisoners from detention. He also assured that Kashmiri Pandits will be brought back to the Valley with dignity. The National Conference has promised to provide free electricity and gas cylinders to the people of the state if it comes to power.
Elections to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir assembly will be held in three phases on September 18, September 5 and October 1
Omar Abdullah to stay away from elections
Omar Abdullah has said that he will not contest the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir unless the state gets special status. His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah will lead the party in the upcoming elections. The party will contest the polls under the leadership of Farooq Abdullah. Omar Abdullah said, "I thank God that elections have finally been announced in our state. There was some confusion about the dates. But elections are coming.