Jammu and Kashmir may get full statehood in October by Ramdas Athawale: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Administration Ramdas Athawale has said that the central government can announce the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir before October this year. Assembly elections are to be held in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh before October. In such a situation, it seems that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir can be restored and assembly elections can also be held there in the month of October.
During a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar, Athawale said, 'After the removal of Article 370, tourism has developed here. More than 2.11 crore tourists, including foreigners, have come here. People are no longer afraid of coming to Kashmir. Amidst some unpleasant incidents, the LG has told me that peace is now being established.'
Our party will field 10 to 15 candidates in the assembly elections
Ramdas Athawale said, 'Our Republican Party of India party will field at least 10-15 candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Pakistan-backed terrorists infiltrate here from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). I think Pakistan should keep in mind that if it wants to progress, it will have to maintain good relations with India.'
Pakistan should end terrorism and hand over POK to India. Pakistan should take help from India for its social and economic development. I don't know when Pakistan will understand this.