(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) File photo of BJP leader, Mohammad Maqbool War
Says 3-Phase Assembly Polls In J&K To End On Sept 30, Two Dy CMs To Be Sworn-In; First Cabinet Meet On October 5
By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from north Kashmir has surprised everyone by declaring that the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will conclude in September this year, and that the next Chief Minister will be from Kashmir.
BJP leader, Mohammad Maqbool War in a viral undated video clip has also claimed that there will be two Deputy Chief Ministers in the Union Territory, one each from Doda and Rajouri districts of Jammu region.
The BJP leader's statement comes two days after opposition leaders led by veteran politician and National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah met the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India and demanded early assembly elections in the Union Territory.
The delegation also met the national opposition leaders at the Constitutional Club in New Delhi and apprised them of the current J&K situation and sought their support in the restoration of statehood to the erstwhile state.
War has also claimed that the assembly elections, which could not be conducted in J&K after the BJP-PPDP led coalition government ended in the year 2018, will be conducted in three phases and that the next cabinet meeting will be held on October 5 this year.
“The next CM will be from Kashmir while there will be two Deputy CMs in the UT, including one each from Doda and Rajouri districts. Game is all set, only six months are left for elections. Polls will be held in three phases, the first phase will be conducted in north Kashmir,” War has said during a public rally in north Kashmir.
The BJP leader, who unsuccessfully contested Baramulla Parliamentary elections in 2019, also said the bulldozer drive against the land grabbers will be resumed as soon as assembly elections are over.
“This is a transitory pause; bulldozers will run afresh as soon as assembly elections conclude in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
War also said that J&K will witness many ups and downs until assembly elections are conducted in the erstwhile state.
“Selection of ministers' and the Minister of State (MoS) has already been worked out. There will be one each Parliamentary seat in North Kashmir, Jammu and Srinagar. Elections will end on September 30 while counting of votes will be conducted on October 1 in Baramulla,” War added.
BJP chief spokesman, Sunil Raj Sethi dismissed War's claims and said the views expressed by him do not reflect that of the party.
“Holding assembly elections is the prerogative of Election Commission of India (ECI). It's the elected representatives, who have to take call on the next Chief Minister elect,” Sethi told Kashmir Observer.
“It's unfortunate on the part of one of the responsible leaders for making such statements. The party does not stand with his statement,” he added.
However, BJP state spokesman, Altaf Thakur slammed War's remarks saying that he often makes 'meaningless' statements without applying his mind.
“War is not as important as other members in the party are. We don't take him seriously at all since he makes nonsense and makes meaningless statements,” Thakur added.
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