Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Jammu and Kashmiri political leaders and promised them elections in the UT, the Demarcation Commission will make its maiden voyage to J&K. The three-day visit is scheduled for July 6-9.
The Demarcation Commission consists of Justice (retired) Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra and Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan.
Upon arriving in Srinagar on Tuesday, the members of the commission will meet with political leaders from national and regional registered political parties. The purpose of this interaction is to gather first hand information on how to conduct the mega-exercise in order to attract new members to J&K.
The leaders of the main political parties are given 20 minutes each.
READ: Jammu and Kashmir: The Contours of Demarcation
PDP will likely skip meetings
In a major move, all J&K-based political parties, with the exception of the PDP, have indicated that they are likely to join the delimitation committee for deliberation.
Other parties to the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)however, have taken an individual stance. Both the National Conference (NC) and the CPI-M have agreed to attend the meeting.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not yet given a name for the meeting. This is seen as a strong indication that the PDP is likely to abstain from meetings with members of the Demarcation Commission.
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According to sources, the former BJP ally has decided against interacting with members of the demarcation commission. Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has taken a strong stance on the issue.
She believes the center did not ensure any confidence building measures prior to the exercise, sources added. The question of statehood for J&K and the repeal of Article 370 also remain points of contention between the PDP and the central government.
Commission for Interaction with Election Officials
According to Srinagar, members of the Delimitation Commission are expected to visit Pahalgam, followed by a visit to Jammu.
During their Tour of Jammu and Kashmir, members of the commission will hold talks with district returning officers from Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.
Members of the Delimitation Commission will also interact with district election officers from Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara.
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