Srinagar: J&K political parties have hit out at the BJP government for keeping the erstwhile state now a union territory without an elected government for the last five years.
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah taunted the central government saying democracy ends where J&K begins.
“Democracy is in our veins, it is in our culture’; ‘India is the mother of democracy’; ‘India is the temple of democracy’. Great sounding words that the international community lap up & regurgitate ad-nauseam. Meanwhile J&K completes 5 years under central rule today. Democracy ends where J&K begins,” ,” Omar tweeted.
It has been five years since Jammu & Kashmir saw an elected government. The last time the elections for the erstwhile state legislature were held was in 2014. Political resentment has been brewing in J&K for not holding assembly elections. All the political parties including the BJP are seeking early elections in J&K.
The NC spokesperson Imran Dar said this is the second longest President’s rule in J&K.
“In 1990s the President’s rule in J&K was for five years and nine months and now we have completed five years under the President’s rule,” he said. “ Does this mean the situation is bad like the nineties? If the Centre says the situation is normal in J&K, then what stops them from giving power back to people of J&K,” he asked.
Peoples Democratic Party spokesman Mohit Bhan said nation and its leadership must hang their heads in shame “Entire nation & its leadership must hang their heads in shame for calling itself “Mother Of Democracy”. J&K languishes under central rule for a staggering 5 years, with the last election held 9 years ago. The blatant disregard for people’s rights & representation is appalling,” he tweeted.
