Srinagar, Dec 02, TEN Network | The Jammu and Kashmir administration is mulling to hold the first-ever assembly polls in Union Territory in April 2020, official sources said.
According to the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), sources said that the administration has started a process for holding the polls in Jammu and Kashmir, which was recently transited to Union Territory from a State.
Pertinently, the Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu in Jammu had also stated that assembly polls in J&K UT will be held soon, adding that process for the elections has been started.
Sources said that the administration is mulling to hold the polls before the Amarnath Yatra 2020.
“The concerned top officials have also been directed to gear up for the polls and ensure the process is completed well on time. The polls for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will be held in April 2020,” sources said.
The sources also said that the new dispensation for the Jammu and Kashmir UT will assume the office before the commencement of Amarnath Yatra 2020, adding that the leaders who have been placed under detention since August 5 will also be released prior to the elections.
However, the elected representatives in the recently declared UT will now enjoy less powers and will have to work under Lt Governor.
Pertinently, the polls in Jammu and Kashmir were delayed due to the situation that arose following the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories on August 5.
It is worth to mention here that the mainstream politicians including the three former chief ministers—Dr. Farooq Abdullah, his son Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are under detention since August 5. Dr. Abdullah, who is also the incumbent parliamentarian, has been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA). (KNO)
