Srinagar, June 24: Senior BJP leader Ashok Koul on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir will get statehood at the “appropriate time” even as he indicated that the restoration was not imminent, while asserting that the party has already begun preparations for the Panchayat elections in the Union Territory.
“The state will be restored. Our Prime Minister and Home Minister have said that we will restore it at the appropriate time. That time has not come yet. When the time comes, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will get the statehood,” Koul, the BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation), told reporters in Gurez.
The remarks come at a time when mainstream political parties in the Valley, including the National Conference and the PDP, have been pressing the Centre to fulfill its promise of restoring statehood made in Parliament after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. The erstwhile state was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
On Panchayat elections, Koul said the party has already initiated the groundwork and is working to further expand its footprint in the Valley. “Just like the party was strong in the 2024 elections, we will take our party to that strength. We have started preparing for the panchayat elections. Whenever the panchayat elections will be held, we will move forward with full preparation,” he said.
The BJP leader also claimed that peace and normalcy currently prevail across the region. “The situation is very good. You go to Kashmir, go to Jammu. People are having fun. There is no stoning,” he said.
Asked about the strategic Zojila tunnel project, Koul said work is progressing and will commence soon. “It will take some time. After that, you will see that the work will also start,” he added.
Koul also voiced opposition to the outsourcing of 24,000 government jobs, alleging lack of transparency in the process. “There is no system for this outsourcing. It is wrong and we have raised our voice against it,” he said.
Earlier, speaking at a local cultural centre in Gurez, Koul said such centres should inspire the youth. “I am very happy to be part of this wonderful Sheena Cultural. Such culture centres should be an inspiration for our youngsters to move forward and for the country to move forward,” he said.
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