J&K ready to hold election, says Guv Satya Pal Malik

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, on his part, cleared the decks for holding Assembly elections in the state. He on Friday said that the state administration was ready and awaiting for the call of the Election Commission (EC) and the Centre in this regard.

"Whenever, they (the EC and Centre) tell us, we are ready for the polls," said Malik after the oath-taking ceremony of Sarpanch of Jammu region.

Malik's assertion came a week after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on January 4 told Parliament that the Central government has no objection if the Election Commission wants to hold Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir along with Lok Sabha elections.

"It is the Election Commission's job to hold elections. But I want to assure the House that we will not come in the way (of holding elections). We are willing to provide whatever security forces the Election Commission wants," Singh had said.

In November last year, the Election Commission too had said that fresh elections in the state would be held within the next six months along with the Lok Sabha elections.

This effectively means that J&K can have a government within the specified six-month period of President's rule that was promulgated in December 19 last year. But whether it will be a popular government is another question given the public angst against New Delhi.

EC’s Nov nod

In November last year,  the Election Commission too had said that fresh elections in the state would be held within the next six months along with Lok Sabha elections.