The polls were regarded as the first free and fair elections in the state, where large-scale rigging had dented the credibility of the democratic process, and the credit went to prime minister Morarji Desai.
Manoj Sinha, lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, says free and fair elections were held for the second time in the state in 2002 when A.B. Vajpayee was prime minister and the third time in 2014, after Narendra Modi became prime minister. “Otherwise, there used to be a collector saab here and two kinds of MLAs were chosen—one by the public and the other by the collector saab,” says Sinha in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK. And he thinks the Union territory is ready for another free and fair election. “In the past five years, after the abrogation of Article 370, people’s faith in the Constitution and democratic process has gone up,” he says.
A three-time Lok Sabha member from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Sinha was a minister of state in the first Modi government. He was said to be in the race for the post of Uttar Pradesh chief minister when the BJP won the assembly elections in 2017. He took charge as lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2020.
This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 01, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Doctor's doctors
Internists deal with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of diseases, while also coordinating with doctors across specialties
WORK THIS OUT!
What is the true cost of a 90-hour workweek? Reduced productivity, mental health issues and severe health risks, say doctors
The experience of oppression
The British enacted several laws that might appear liberal, only to then veto the invocation of progressive measures. Nevertheless, these milestones guided the founding fathers in conceiving and creating the Constitution of India
One, two, buckle my shoe!
“Darling,” I said to my life companion of more years than I care to remember, “Do you think there is any correlation between pain in the feet and attending prayer meetings?”“You really are a stupid old man!” said the light of my life. “Can’t you think of anything more bizarre so late at night?”
A helping hand
Over the past year, Imaginarium has placed 3D-printed parts in space, in human bodies, in oil fields in the Middle East, and as drones on the Indian border
Fading federalism
One of the most visible indicators of the erosion of state autonomy is the diminishing financial independence of states
FOUNDING MOTHERS OF THE CONSTITUTION
THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE MAKING OF THE REPUBLIC REMAINS EXEMPLARY AND INSPIRING
Value every breath
VO2 max is the best way to measure fitness and predict life expectancy
Statutes of unity
The Constitution reminds us that national oneness comes through addressing inequalities, not enforcing uniformity
Incomplete equality
Equal marriage rights is one of the last bastions of patriarchy and to dismantle it, the recognition of marital rape as an offence is non-negotiable