Panchayat and local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir serve little practical purpose unless the region’s statehood is restored first, according to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.

Speaking on local political developments, Choudhary emphasized that holding grassroots polls while Jammu and Kashmir remains governed as a union territory undermines the true authority and effectiveness of elected local representatives. He argued that meaningful administrative powers must be returned to the region's elected legislature and leadership for local governance to function as intended.

The question of restoring statehood has remained a central political issue in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019, when the central government revoked Article 370, split the former state into two union territories, and placed the region under direct federal rule. Although legislative assembly elections were eventually held, restoring full statehood continues to be a primary demand for regional political parties and local leadership.

Critics and regional political figures have frequently argued that a union territory administration limits the legislative autonomy and financial powers needed by local bodies to deliver effective public services. Choudhary’s remarks reflect ongoing domestic political pressure on New Delhi to fulfill previous commitments regarding the restoration of statehood to the region.

The debate over the sequence of political reforms—whether local elections should precede or follow statehood restoration—continues to shape political discourse across Jammu and Kashmir as communities await further clarity from central authorities.

SRINAGAR — The National Conference (NC)-led administration in Jammu and Kashmir has faced sharp criticism from opposition leaders following an upward revision in electricity tariffs, with senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma accusing the ruling party of backtracking on pre-election promises.

The reaction follows a recent regulatory decision that approved a 6.83 percent hike in power tariffs across the region.

Speaking to reporters, Sharma alleged that the administration had misled voters during the election campaign by promising relief on utility bills, including commitments related to free electricity. Instead of easing the financial burden on residents, he said, the government had imposed an additional tariff increase that would directly impact ordinary households and businesses.

"The National Conference government has betrayed the people of Jammu and Kashmir once again," Sharma said, according to reports from *Kashmir Uzma*. "Promises of free electricity and economic relief have resulted in a higher financial burden through increased power tariffs."

The opposition leader argued that households across the region are already grappling with economic pressures and that higher electricity costs will worsen the situation, particularly during peak usage periods.

The ruling National Conference has not yet issued a detailed official response to the latest statements from opposition figures regarding the tariff adjustment. Utilities and regulatory bodies in Jammu and Kashmir periodically review electricity pricing to manage operational costs, transmission losses, and power purchase agreements, though such adjustments frequently draw political scrutiny from opposition parties.

SRINAGAR — A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Jammu and Kashmir has accused the ruling National Conference (NC)-led government of stalling local self-government elections, labeling the administration as the "biggest enemy" of grassroots democracy in the region.

BJP MLA Balwant Singh Pathania issued a scathing critique of the current administration, claiming that authorities are deliberately withholding panchayat and municipal elections to consolidate power and keep local governance away from the public.

Local self-government institutions, including panchayats and urban local bodies, play a crucial role in grassroots administration and local development across Jammu and Kashmir. Delays in holding these polls have increasingly become a point of contention between the ruling party and opposition groups in the region.

Pathania argued that postponing the democratic exercise at the grassroots level undermines the fundamental rights of local communities to elect their representatives and manage civic affairs. He urged the government to announce a clear timeline for holding the elections without further administrative delays.

The ruling National Conference has not immediately responded to the latest criticism regarding the municipal and panchayat election timeline. The administration has previously faced pressure from various political fronts to restore full democratic structures at the village and municipal levels across the union territory.