Srinagar: Former Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commit his government to holding polls in the state and alleged that vested interests, including some occupying positions of authority in J&K, are trying to engineer a delay in Assembly elections.
‘Your government’s handling of J&K will be judged by whether Assembly elections are on time or not sir,’ Mr Abdullah, who is the former chief minister of the state, said.
Mr Abdullah was responding to PM Modi’s tweet that ‘Essence of democracy lies in empowerment of the common citizen, to which our government is totally committed’.
Modi’s comments came after his interaction with 48 newly-elected Sarpanches of Panchayats from the state who called on him in New Delhi on Wednesday.
“Sir, please also commit your government to Assembly elections in J&K. Vested interests, including some occupying positions of authority in J&K, are trying to engineer a delay. Your government’s handling of J&K will be judged by whether Assembly elections are on time or not sir,” Omar Abdullah Tweeted in response, adding that ‘we look forward to your personal commitment to keeping to that schedule jenab PM sahib.’
President’s Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Dec 19.