The central government has told the Supreme Court that the government is ready to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any time.
The Central Election Commission and the Election Committee of the Union Territories have said that they will take an election decision in this regard.
During the hearing on the abrogation of Article 370, the Supreme Court had asked the central government when elections would be held in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It emphasized on the restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, which has not been ruled by an elected government since 2018.
During today’s hearing, the Centre refused to give a timeline for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. But it said that it is ready to hold elections.
Leaders and petitioners of Ladakh expressed their dismay at the Solicitor General’s statement that Ladakh will continue to be a Union Territory. For the last two years, massive protests have been going on in Ladakh demanding statehood.
The central government had said in August 2019 that it would grant statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at the appropriate time after Article 370 was abrogated and made a Union Territory. Amit Shah also reiterated the same. But the fixed time was not mentioned.
