Parliamentary delegation to discuss JK elections

Jammu: In a significant development, New Delhi is all set to discuss holding of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming weeks.
Sources said some of the regional political parties based in Kashmir held “informal discussions” with some of the senior leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party in the national capital seeking early elections.
Sources said the BJP leadership conveyed it to the Kashmir politicians that the right-wing party was not averse to holding of elections.
It was reliably learnt that the BJP-led government at the center is mulling to depute a Parliamentary delegation on the task, which will include a visit to Jammu and Kashmir as well.
Sources said the BJP looks ahead to send the Parliamentary delegation on a special visit to both Jammu and Kashmir regions to take feedback from the grassroots about the “democratic situation” in the Union Territory. Sources said representatives from at-least three parties based in Kashmir have expressed willingness to hold deliberations with any such visiting delegation.
Till now, since the abrogation of the special status, most of the Kashmir-based parties had been staying away from meeting the visiting Parliamentary delegations.
“But after the softening of the stand of the Kashmir based parties (like the National Conference towards the BJP), things seem be improving,” said a politician on the condition of anonymity.
It was reliably learnt that the Parliament delegation would also review the security situation in the wake of recent terror strikes, especially in the summer capital of Srinagar.
A senior leader in the BJP said the party was keen to see “democracy getting active in full swing” through the holding of Assembly elections adding that the decision is this regard was to be taken by the Election Commission of India.
“They issue of holding elections has to be decided by them(Election Commission of India) alone,” the senior leader told on the condition of anonymity