Prepared for elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any time: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Friday that the government was prepared for elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any time. He added that if the Election Commission would decide to hold polls, the Home Ministry would offer requisite security for the conduct of free and fair polls.

He said this as part of a discussion on a statutory motion on the proclamation issued by the President in December, 2018, under Article 356 of the Constitution in relation to Jammu and Kashmir. The discussion took place after the statutory motion was passed rather than before it.

Earlier, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor faulted Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik for recommending Governor’s rule instead of a floor test. He said this was in contravention of the SR Bommai judgment, according to which the Governor was bound to call for a floor test – the NC, PDP and Congress had reportedly sought to form a government – and added that majority could not be decided by the Governor on the ideological compatibility of parties seeking to form the government. Taking a dig at the BJP, he added that the previous BJP-PDP government was an “artificial mariage”.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh defended the Governor saying there seemed to be no clear move on the part of any potential alliance to stake claim to form the government. He said that in June then Governor N.N. Vohra had written to the President that the BJP had no intention to form the government after withdrawing support to the PDP. He had also written that the Jammu and Kashmir Congress president and they told him the party did not have the requisite numbers to form the government on its own or with any other party.

“Governor’s rule was imposed but the Assembly was not dissolved so that another alliance could form the government. But no political party staked a claim and the Governor had to send his report for President’s rule,” Mr. Singh said, adding that while he had read newspaper reports of the PDP, NC and the Congress wishing to form a government, the Congress’ leader in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had denied it.

National Conference leader Farooque Abdullah, however, said that the PDP was willing to form a government and the NC, and even the Congress, had agreed to support them.

“This government’s intention should not be doubted,” the Home Minister said. “If we wanted another government to be formed, we could have done so in six months. As for the Kashmir problem solution, it is an old problem. All Indians want a solution. The people of Kashmir are our own people. I have repeatedly said that I want a solution with the help of all. We also took all-party delegations. I said we have no problem talking to anyone who wants to talk.”

He added, “Some said they want to meet secessionist leaders. They went and had to return. I don’t want to discuss that here.”

“At one time, Kashmir situation was tense but we are trying our best to improve it and strengthen grass-roots democracy through local polls,” Mr. Singh claimed. “We are giving administrative and financial powers to those elected as local bodies’ representatives.”