Srinagar/Jammu | Political parties across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday hailed the Election Commission's announcement of three-phase assembly elections that will begin on September 18 as marking a significant step towards restoring democracy in the region after six years of central rule.
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah expressed gratitude to the Election Commission for expediting the poll process.
"Today, I thank God that they are deciding it. Earlier, people were saying that they would decide between the 20th and 25th. I am happy that they have preponed it," Farooq Abdullah said.
He added that following India's recent Independence Day celebrations, he was hopeful for an end to central rule in Jammu and Kashmir. "This has been an unusually long gap. The last elections were held in 2014 and now, after a decade, we are holding an election."
Farooq Abdullah emphasised his party's readiness, recalling its previous push for holding simultaneous elections with the parliamentary polls, which was not granted.
He also expressed optimism about a robust voter turnout, stating, "Now, people will come out in large numbers to participate in the elections."
Almost all major parties, including the National Conference, Congress, BJP, CPI(M) and the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), welcomed the EC's announcement that they believe upholds the Supreme Court's directive mandating elections by September 30.
The assembly polls will be held in three phases on September 18, September 25 and October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 4.
Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of the erstwhile state, remarked on the long wait for the announcement, saying, "It is better late than never."
He noted that this election cycle might be the first since the 1987-88 elections to be conducted within such a condensed time frame.
"It obviously will be a new experiment for the political parties. But as far as our party is concerned, the National Conference was prepared for this day and would soon start the electioneering," he added.
Omar Abdullah also called on the EC to address the significant transfers within the police and the civil administration in the past 24 hours, voicing concern over potential biases that could favour the BJP, which governs at the Centre.
"We have doubts that this government is helping the BJP and its B, C and D teams. The EC should immediately take notice and examine them and stop those transfers that are outside its guidelines," he said.
Quoting an Urdu couplet "badi dair kardi mehrban aate aate (you took a long time to come, kind one)", Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said his party welcomed the EC's decision to hold the polls.
"Now we will have a people's government Inshallah (God willing) by October 5," Bukhari told PTI.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary GA Mir expressed appreciation for the EC's decision, noting that it reflected the public's aspirations for a popular government.
He highlighted the central government's prior commitment to conduct elections post the delimitation exercise, which has since been completed.
"People are eagerly waiting for the formation of a popular government and the announcement of the polls reflects the aspirations of the people. We have full faith that people in Jammu and Kashmir will take part in the elections in a big way," Mir said.
Itija Mufti, a prominent People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader and the daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, also welcomed the EC's announcement.
"The PDP welcomes the poll announcement," Iltija said, highlighting the long wait for democratic processes to resume in the region.
Despite her approval, she raised several concerns about the current political climate.
"...over the past five years, not only have the fundamental rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir been compromised, democracy itself has been effectively suspended," she alleged.
Welcoming the EC's announcement, senior CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami acknowledged the importance of a democratic process that ensured fairness and security for all participants.
"It is welcome that after a long time the EC has announced the schedule for elections to the assembly. We also welcome the statement of the EC that it will be a full democratic exercise by ensuring a level playing field to all parties and contestants, besides sufficient security for candidates and voters," Tarigami said.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina expressed gratitude to the EC and emphasised his party's preparation for the elections, calling on citizens to actively participate.
"We were eagerly waiting for this announcement since the Lok Sabha elections and the BJP is fully prepared..." he said and added that these polls would further strengthen the roots of democracy and open the door to a new period of development for the Union Territory.
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were last held in November 2014, resulting in the PDP and the BJP forming a coalition government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.
His death in 2016 led to Mehbooba Mufti taking up the mantle of leadership as chief minister of the coalition government.
The BJP pulled out of the government in June 2018 and the state was put under governor's rule. The state assembly was dissolved in 2018.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated and downgraded the erstwhile state into two Union territories -- Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
As anticipation builds for the elections, political parties are gearing up for a pivotal moment in Jammu and Kashmir's democratic landscape.
