Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has stated that for the first time in 50 years, elections are being held for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for a five-year term. Speaking to a national news channel in Srinagar, Sinha highlighted the historical change in the Assembly’s tenure, which previously lasted six years.
He recalled that during the Emergency period, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi extended the tenure of the Parliament from five to six years, which led to a similar extension for State Assemblies. However, while the tenure of the Lok Sabha and other Assemblies was eventually restored to five years, Jammu and Kashmir continued to have a six-year term.
The change came on August 5, 2019, when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act reduced the Assembly’s term to five years. “Now, after 50 years, elections to the J&K Assembly are being held for a five-year term,” Sinha remarked.
The Lieutenant Governor further addressed the role of the next elected government, stating that his full support will be given to any government focused on peace, prosperity, and development. However, he cautioned that he would exercise his Constitutional powers if any future government pursued a different agenda.
Sinha clarified that the powers vested in the Lieutenant Governor are not unique to Jammu and Kashmir but are conferred upon all LGs of Union Territories under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act. He emphasized that if any adjustments to these powers were required, they would have to go through Parliament.
On the security front, the Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that terrorism in the region would be tackled within the next three to four months. He noted that Pakistan, frustrated by the peaceful Parliamentary elections in Jammu and Kashmir, had pushed foreign terrorists into the region amidst its own internal crises.
Sinha underscored the revival of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and the repositioning of security forces in previously peaceful areas of the Jammu region, which has seen a resurgence of terrorist activity. He affirmed the bravery of security forces and reiterated his confidence that militants would soon be eliminated.
“People of Jammu have never supported militancy and separatism,” Sinha added, stressing the region’s commitment to peace.
