Jammu, August 18 (HS). Shiv Sena Hindustan Jammu and Kashmir UT President Pandit Rajesh Kesari on Sunday called a meeting of office bearers in Arnia where they unanimously expressed gratitude to the Election Commission of India for announcing the dates of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kesari, however, highlighted the neglect of urban local bodies (ULBs) and panchayats whose term ended last year. He stressed the need to restore statehood before the assembly elections and pointed to the poor condition of local bodies and lack of political attention to the issue. Kesari urged that ULB and panchayat elections should be held simultaneously with the assembly elections to ensure effective governance and democracy.