I-Day celebrations historical in J&K: Ashok Koul

‘Elections to be conducted once final voter list is finalized, militancy will be eradicated in next one year’

Srinagar, Aug 16 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday said that the final call to conduct elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken by Election Commission of India (ECI) after the final voter list is issued. The party also said that the militancy is in its last stage here and after one year, J&K will be a militancy-free region.

After paying homage to former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his death anniversary, BJP General Secretary (Organization), Ashok Koul while talking to reporters at party office here, said that there is a set procedure for conducting elections.

“Election Commission of India has already taken a call. They had framed a time table, but maybe there were not adequate preparedness, so, the time table was changed and now the final voter list will be issued by the end of November or in the beginning of December month following which a call will be taken to conduct the assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir,” Koul said while replying to a query.

Asked about the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, Koul, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that people from every nook and corner organized rallies. “BJP also took part in the campaign and 80 rallies were carried out by the party at different parts of J&K. The way Independence Day was celebrated yesterday is historical. The people openly connected themselves with India,” he said.

He further said that Pakistan has waged a war in the 90s, but yesterday’s celebrations are testimony that it has come to an end. However, he said some elements are still there, who are being fed, and to show their presence, they take part in the violent incidents like throwing grenades, attacks and other things.

“As Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has already said, the militancy will completely be eradicated in Jammu and Kashmir after one year,” he said—(KNO)