Srinagar, Aug 17 (Representative) Political parties on Friday welcomed the announcement of much awaited Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir by the Election Commission of India.Jammu and Kashmir will go to the assembly polls in three phases, beginning from September 18, after a decade and first since the abrogation of Article 370.National Conference (NC) Vice President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said that his party was ready for the Assembly election and was waiting for the day for the announcement of the poll schedule.Omar said that this is for the first time since 1987-88 that the election in Jammu and Kashmir would be held in a few phases.“It would be a new experience for the political parties of Jammu and Kashmir to finalise their candidates in a short period of time”, he said while addressing reporters in Srinagar. .Regarding alliance with Congress and PDP or any other party, Omar said hat time is too short for discussing alliances but they have an “understanding” with the Congress.On PDP, Omar said it would be difficult to have any alliance with them as we contested Lok Sabha election against each other.“ They criticised us in the election campaign. Instead of taking a decision to cement ties with us, they created further differences. But we don’t have much time for it now. Let’s see what happens,” he said.Omar also hinted about contesting assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.Welcoming the announcement of Election, the Chairman of Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad hoped that statehood will be restored after holding the elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The whole country, media and people of Jammu and Kashmir were eagerly waiting for the announcement of the Assembly election,” he said.He hoped that the full-fledged statehood would be provided back to Jammu and Kashmir after holding the Assembly elections. “Otherwise there is no meaning of holding elections without providing statehood to Jammu and Kashmir”, the DPAP Chairman said.“It is the 5th year since the Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir but the elections are being held after ten years which is for the first happening since the independence of India”, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said.“I welcome the election, though happening of late”, the DPAP chief said.Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti welcomed the announcement for holding the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir and said they could have been held five-six years ago.“Jammu and Kashmir was enjoying its semi-autonomous status with own constitution, flag and residuary powers and it was turned into a Union Territory. Not only residuary rights the democratic rights were also snapped. The elections which would have been hold five years ago are now being held,” she said.“Our concern is that elections should be conducted free, fair and transparent. Just before the announcement of the election date around 150-200 transfers happened abruptly and arbitrarily by the LG government.LG administration’s behaviour here is full of prejudice, it’s full of bias and they favour the BJP. You all know how hostile they have been with the other parties here……Elections should be free and fair and should not favour any political party- BJP in this case…,” she said.
CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami welcomed the poll announcement.“.. All parties including us believed that a vacuum was created in J&K over the last 10 years…With the announcement of elections, now there is new hope building in people,” he said.Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said finally, the long-awaited schedule for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls has been announced.“..After nearly six years of waiting, the people will have the opportunity to exercise their most fundamental democratic right—the right to elect their own representatives. I hope the elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner. These elections present a vital opportunity for the people to reclaim their voice and shape their future.I hope that the voters will choose wisely, electing genuine representatives rather than those imposed over the decades. Jammu and Kashmir is at a crucial juncture, and only visionary and courageous leadership can safeguard the rights of its people,” he posted on XBJP State Media Co-Convenor Sajid Yousuf Shah said he was grateful to the ECI for announcing the assembly election dates in Jammu and Kashmir.“This marks a significant step towards the restoration of democratic rights and elected representation for the people of J&K,” he said