Srinagar, Aug 8 : Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said the statehood and elections in Jammu and Kashmir might be announced in October this year.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Thursday Athawale said that the centre may announce restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in October and elections may also take place in the same month.

“As polls are scheduled to be held in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh before October, I think statehood can be restored and elections may also be conducted in October in Jammu and Kashmir also”, Athwalale said.

He appealed to people to ensure a record voter turnout in the Assembly elections to further strengthen the democratic setup in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that his Republican Party of India (RPI) will also contest Assembly elections on 10 to 15 seats of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I am hopeful that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government can also be formed in Jammu and Kashmir”, he added.

He said “If there could be an alliance of RPI with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir and we could get five to six seats will fight the elections together. He said he is going to talk to BJP President J P Nadda on the issue very soon.

Athawale said otherwise his RPI will contest elections independently on 10 to 15 seats in Jammu and Kashmir and RPI will continue extending support to the BJP on other seats.

He said his ministry is going to establish an old age home in every district of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that presently there are 16 old age homes six in Jammu and 10 in Kashmir valley.

UNI