Kashmir Parties' Jammu Outreach

Party says proposed seat allocation for J&K Assembly defies logic, can’t be implemented because matter is in SC

- FAYAZ WANI

AHead of the Delimitation Commission’s draft proposal suggesting six additional assembly seats for Jammu and only one for the Valley, Kashmir-based parties, especially National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress leader Ghulam nabi azad have gone on a political offensive in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range of Jammu to garner support for their narrative, especially on restoration of article 370.

A Jammu-based political leader said people of Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal always found themselves closer to Kashmir than Jammu. “Kashmir-based parties, especially NC and PDP, never treated us as their own. BUT post article 370 revocation and especially after Delimitation Commission’s proposal, they seem to have realised the importaNCe of the region,” he said.

Parties are seeking to keep their support base intact in six districts — Kishtwar, Doda, ramban, reasi, rajouri and PooNCh — of Jammu region.

Of the six additional seats proposed by Delimitation Commission in Jammu region, one each would be allotted to the districts of Kishtwar, Samba, Kathua, Doda, rajouri and Udhampur/reasi. the proposed additional seat in the Valley would be added to Kupwara district in north Kashmir.

In erstwhile J&K state, assembly had 87 seats — 46 in Kashmir, 37 in Jammu and four in ladakh. after bifurcation of state into two Union territories and creation of ladakh UT, J&K assembly was left with 83 seats. If Delimitation Commission sticks to its proposals, there will be 90 seats in J&K assembly — 47 for Kashmir and 43 for Jammu.