J&K LG Sinha Slams Politicians for Skipping Foundation Day

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday criticised politicians who did not attend Union Territory Foundation Day, saying it reflected ir "dual character." "I am seeing that those who took oath as MLA of a Union Territory and often refer to Constitution of India (are not here)," Sinha said in his dress at UT's fifth Foundation Day.

" ground reality is that it is a UT today. When it will be me a state, and we want it to be a state, we will celebrate statehood foundation day as well. This shows ir dual character," he ded.

National Conference did not attend event, nor did People's Conference leer Saj Gani Lone and CPI(M) leer Mohamm Yousuf Tarigami, who said ministration went ahe with programme despite people "clearly voting" against it.

erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was turned into a Union Territory in 2019 after abrogation of Article 370 that granted state a special status.

Sinha said, "Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory. We will have to accept that reality. PM has said in parliament and also Home Minister that delimitation first, elections second and n statehood at appropriate time." LG called five years of UT "an era of peace, prosperity and development." On delay in Panchayat and urban local bodies elections, Sinha said se polls h to be deferred due to some constitutional issues.

" Panchayati Raj institutions and ULBs have a big contribution in development of Jammu and Kashmir. Due to some constitutional difficulties, those elections could not be held. re were Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and reservation for OBCs was not extended yet," he said.

"Now Parliament has passed it (OBC reservation), I am sure preparations are being me for those polls in coming days," he ded.

(Except for heline, this story has not been edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed.)