In response, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks that the L-G was working as a 'raja (king)' and that no developmental work had been done in the UT during the last five years.
Speaking during a media event here, Manoj Sinha said he would resign if more than 75 percent of the people don't say that work has been done for the welfare of the public in the last five years.
L-G Sinha said a secret ballot may be conducted to know what the people of J&K feel about the abrogation of Article 370.
He should take the opinion of the public-he will be more aware. Get a secret ballot done. If more than 75 percent of the public do not say that work has been done for their welfare in the last five years, then I will resign," Sinha challenged Rahul.
On the record voter turnout in the recent Lok Sabha polls, Sinha said it was because the people understood the conspiracy of Pakistan and they realised that their future was with India.
Statistics presented by the Election Commission of India said in the Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir, 58.46 per cent voter turnout was recorded, the highest in a Lok Sabha poll in the last 35 years in J&K.
"People of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the people of the Valley, have expressed faith in the democracy of India," Sinha said.
During a public rally in Jammu's Ramban on September 4, Rahul Gandhi attacked the L-G Manoj Sinha and termed him a 'raja'. "Aaj Jammu-Kashmir mein raja baitha hua hai. Uska naam L-G hai par hai voh raja. Today, a king sits in Jammu and Kashmir. His name is L-G, but he is a king, he said.
Elections to the Assembly are being held in three phases in J&K and it is because of the largely people-participative Lok Sabha elections that various political parties are vigorously carrying out their poll campaigns.
People's participation in these poll campaigns, election rallies, meetings and roadshows indicates that the people have decided to express themselves through the ballot and that the bullet has lost its relevance in Kashmir.
Read also| Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV with Rs 70,125 Crore Budget
