Srinagar, July 05 (NVI):- Anticipating the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir sooner than later, the National Conference (NC) has begun preparations by holding a series of party meetings to devise a strategy.
Although there is no indication about when the Assembly elections would be held in J&K, which is currently under the Central rule, the NC is hoping that these polls would be held by September-end as directed by the Supreme Court.
The Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir remains suspended since June 2018 after dissolution of the BJP-PDP government.
Although Parliamentary elections were held here in April-May, the Assembly polls were not scheduled.
The Central government has said the elections would be held as soon as possible.
In the elections, the main poll planks of the party will be restoration of Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and reinstatement of Article 370 which granted special status to it before it was revoked in August 2019, party leader Agha Ruhullah Mehdi said.
Jammu and Kashmir lost its Statehood in 2019 along with the revocation of Article 370 by the Centre.
Addressing the media after the party’s meeting third meeting held on the third consecutive day here, Mehdi, NC’s newly-elected Member of Parliament, said discussions have been held on the issues to be raised and a comprehensive election manifesto would be prepared within a month.
Mehdi said the party, besides raising the political issues, would also highlight the pressing socio-economic matters like unemployment, which has severely affected the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Member of Lok Sabha from Srinagar constituency said the party would also flag the importance of protecting land and job rights for locals, ensuring that opportunities remain accessible to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Preserving and enhancing reservations for various communities to ensure social equity and justice will also be highlighted during the poll campaign.
He said his party will also fight for release of the people who have been kept in jails.
Mehdi also criticized the recent hike in electricity tariffs, stating that it has placed an undue burden on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. (NVI)
