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| 'Scattered separatists can't run boycott campaign' | | Time ripe for LA polls in JK | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 20: Election Commission of India (ECI) just falling short of announcing the election dates in Jammu and Kashmir is making everyone believe that forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state would be held on time.
Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday had visited Kashmir and called on Governor N N Vohra. BJP leaders claimed that it was a courtesy call but sources revealed that Dr Singh is understood to have told Governor to keep an eye over the "transfer industry" in the state as ECI is all set to take the final call over when elections would be held in Jammu and Kashmir within a few days.
Sources told Early Times that Dr Singh asked the BJP leaders in Kashmir to gear up for the polls as chances of elections getting postponed till March next year are very bleak.
A highly placed official said that ECI team which visited Kashmir last week was informed about the preparations made by the administration and most of the returning officer (Deputy Commissioners) told ECI that they are prepared for the polls and all the ground work has been completed.
A source said that politicians at the helm, especially from the ruling National Conference, had asked the bureaucrats to somehow convey it to the ECI that elections at this point of time would hamper the relief work for the flood affected people. "A few officials did convey it to the ECI," the source added.
The Election Commissioner is understood to have politely conveyed it to the officials that Model Code of Conduct won't imply on relief and rehabilitation work.
Even before the full ECI team visited Kashmir security agencies had started poll related activities. The Director General of Police K Rajendra visited different districts across Kashmir to inform his officers and jawans to get prepared for the elections.
Sources said that Jammu and Kashmir Police have asked the top bosses of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to remain prepared for the polls likely to be held in December this year.
Besides Police, Army too has started sanitizing operations in the sensitive areas across Kashmir and its commanders based in Srinagar are understood to have conveyed it to the ECI that situation is conducive for elections.
Sources said that floods which hit Kashmir last month have scattered the separatists and if elections are held in December these people won't get a chance to run the election boycott campaign nor would be they able to orchestrate the street protests.
"Time is ripe for elections in JK and these should not be delayed," top officials of the intelligence agencies are believed to have told the full team of Election Commission of India.
The ruling National Conference which left no stone unturned to ensure that polls get postponed seems to have reconciled with the fact that it would have to fall in the line and seek re-election if it wants to cling on to power.
Sources said that NC top brass has asked its people to remain prepared as election notification could be issued anytime. "We tried our best to convince the ECI to defer the polls in flood ravaged Kashmir but it seems our suggestions have been ignored. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and tried to seek his intervention, but the Home Minister put the ball in ECI's court. Whether we win or lose we have no option other than to prepare ourselves for elections," senior NC leaders are understood to have told their workers. |
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