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| Building flood devastated infrastructure may take 6 months | | Let Assembly election in J&K be held under Governor's rule | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 13: If left to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Assembly elections may not be postponed in Jammu and Kashmir. But Omar Abdullah is not the real authority to decide whether the election should be held as per the schedule or postpone it.
Infact the situation has materially changed in the state because of the unprecedented death and devastation caused by the floods and landslides. Already major areas in the Kashmir valley are under water during the last 12 days and various hilly areas in the region of Jammu, including Reasi, Rajouri, Doda Kishtwar and parts of Udhampur are cut off from the state's winter capital, Jammu. In addition to this over six lakh people stand displaced and the death toll has risen to 300.
It is not a normal situation in which elections could take place. Yes, those who oppose postponement of the election say that towards the end of November the situation would have improved considerably with the basic infrastructure having been put back on the rail. But those who have been watching the grim situation,the result of colossal damage caused to private and Government properties in Jammu and Kashmir, argue, that too rightly, that it may take another six months for rebuilding, renovating residential houses, office buildings. It may take another two to three months to repair and rebuild road stretches and bridges, washed away by the floods.
This means the most opportune time for holding the election could be somewhere in May-June, 2015. Well the term of the state legislature is to expire in the first week of January which meant the election has to be completed by December end. Well is the month of December feasible for holding the election? One is pessimistic about it because of the weather related problems. December is the month of snow, sleat, frost, frozen roads, congealed water taps and hurdles in free movement of traffic.
And those in the National Conference and the Congress who favour postponement of the election argue that the flood fury and devastation have enraged people against the colition Government. If the election was held within next three months peoples' anger may get reflected in the polling booths and on EVMs. But Omar Abdullah seems to be impatient because he does not want the Assembly election to be held under the Governor's rule.
Constitutional experts are of the opinion that if the election process was not completed by the beginning of January the state has to be placed under the Governor's rule. If that happens the NC and the Congress may lose their traditional technique of influencing voters. Under the Governor's rule they may not be able to resort to some malpractices. It is in this connection that the opposition parties,including the PDP and Panthers Party, favour postponement of the election. Leaders of these two parties say that it will be highly bad if the election is held while majority of people keep on shedding tears over their misfortunes and losses owing to floods.
However, the BJP leadership in Jammu and Kashmir would not mind opposing election being held as per the schedule because it believes that the problems faced by people and the inability of the NC-Congress Government in acting as their saviour has given rise to steep anger among the voters who may translate their anger by voting against the NC and the Congress.
The Chief Election Commission has not taken any decision. It will have to discuss the issue with the central and the state Governments. In order to reach some conclusion the commission officials are to visit Jammu and Kashmir in the near future. These official would have visited the state but they find the situation not conducive for suitable and proper interaction with the state authorities and political leaders.
It would be proper to spare people of the ordeal of joining the pre-poll campaign at a time when they have to find means for rebuilding the infrastructure that was washed away by floods. Let the state be under a brief spell of Governor's rule so that the next election could be held under the supervision of N.N. Vohra. |
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