Union Government ready for J&K elections, leaves decision to Election Commission

The Union government conveyed its readiness to conduct elections in the region of Jammu and Kashmir during the parliamentary session on Tuesday. Affirming a dedication to democracy, the government stated that it is up to the Election Commission to decide when to announce the election schedule which ensures fairness and follows proper procedures. A junior minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitendra Singh said, “We are ready for elections, but you have to ask the EC for it as it is an independent constitutional body and only it can decide when to hold polls.”

Tensions arose as opposition members clashed with the treasury benches over discussions on Article 370. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in the ongoing winter session of the parliament, stated that the Modi government has successfully implemented a unified national identity with a single flag and constitution. The statement came during the deliberation on the J&K Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the J&K Reorganization (Amendment) Bill. Responding to Saugata Roy of the Trinamool Congress, who had referred to "one flag, one prime minister, one constitution" as the BJP's political slogan, Shah questioned the feasibility of a country having two prime ministers, two constitutions, and two flags. “Whosoever did it was wrong. Narendra Modi has corrected it. Your approval or disagreement does not matter. The entire country wanted it,” stated Amit Shah. The Union Home Minister further stated that the concept is not just a political slogan for the BJP but a core belief firmly held by the party.

Members of the Congress party flagged apprehensions and asked why the government wanted to change the Bill now, especially when the Supreme Court hasn't decided on Article 370 yet. People from the Congress, NCP, TMC, and National Conference said they don't believe the government's claim that things are normal in Jammu and Kashmir. They talked about ongoing violence and attacks on security forces in the Kashmir valley. The BJP members disagreed with them and said that more tourists are visiting even faraway places in Kashmir, showing that it's peaceful. Anurag Thakur said incidents of throwing stones are not happening anymore, unlike before when many people were killed under the 'two families' rule.

About the Union government's assertion of peace prevailing in Kashmir, National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi raised concerns about the absence of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, questioning the government's commitment to conducting polls in the prevalent conducive environment. He accused the Union government of not making sufficient efforts to fulfill its promise of reinstating statehood. Since the dissolution of the state legislature in 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been under the President's Rule, prompting local political parties to call for the resumption of electoral activities in the Union territory.​