As Jammu and Kashmir approaches the announcement of election results, political leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) has voiced his concerns over the real impact of these elections. According to Para, even if one party were to sweep all the seats, the political process remains largely symbolic as long as J&K retains its Union Territory (UT) status.
Para highlighted the fact that key areas such as law and order remain under the control of the Lt. Governor, limiting the authority and effectiveness of an elected government. With the powers held before the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, still not restored, Para questioned how any government could meet voters’ expectations in this constrained political environment.
Despite high voter turnout and public enthusiasm, Para warned that delivering on campaign promises would be a serious challenge, leaving voters disillusioned. The concerns raise significant questions about the future governance and autonomy of J&K under the current framework.
