Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said the voter turnout will be more in the Assembly elections than the Parliamentary polls held in April-May in Jammu and Kashmir as the people want to play their role in ‘Naya Jammu and Kashmir’.
In an interview with two national news channels in Srinagar, Sinha said there have been long queues of voters in all Assembly constituencies going to polls today-be it South Kashmir, Ramban, Kishtwar or Doda. The voting turnout will be more in the Assembly elections than Lok Sabha, he added.
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“People of Jammu and Kashmir have full faith in democracy like other parts of the country. They want to play their role in building Naya Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the late night campaigning by the candidates in rural areas signals a significant change in situation in Jammu and Kashmir during last five years. Earlier, the canvassing used to stop with Sun set.
Replying to a question on abrogation of Article 370 and claims being made by certain political parties to bring the special status back, Sinha said those sitting on the Constitutional posts or those who held similar posts should refrain from giving such statements.
“The Article 370 has been removed by the Parliament with consensus. Full bench of the Supreme Court has upheld the decision. The political leaders are just giving the misleading statements and there is nothing else,” he added.
On former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s statement that he was frightened of visiting Lal Chowk when he was the Home Minister in UPA Government, the Lieutenant Governor said it is the result of good work done during last 4-5 years that he can now visit Kashmir freely.
“He (Shinde) has appreciated the situation and I congratulate him,” he said.
Sinha said some people are seeing political link in the number of Independent candidates contesting elections in Jammu and Kashmir but it’s not like that. Number of the Independent candidates was more in 2008.
On relations between new Government and the Lieutenant Governor, he said if peace, prosperity and development are the goals of new Government, he will extend full support to them.
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