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| Sajjad files petition, what will Bilal do? | | De-recognition of PC by ECI | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 16: The Lone brothers may see each other on opposite sides of the fence in the coming days. Sajjad Lone who heads his own version of People’s Conference (PC) has filed a petition in the Srinagar bench of the High Court challenging the decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to de-recognize his party (People’s Conference).
Sajjad deserves appreciation for his bold decision. At least he cannot be accused of nurturing double standards. He waved good bye to separatist politics during the last Parliamentary elections and, according to sources, is preparing for the local body elections. He, therefore, needs the ECI recognition and the symbol (lion) allotted to Peoples Conference.
However, Sajjad's petition may cause problems for his brother Bilal Lone. Bilal is a staunch separatist and `hates' electoral politics. He is in the executive of the Mirwaiz led Hurriyat Conference and has always participated in anti-election campaign of the separatist conglomerate.
Bilal also heads a faction of the People’s Conference. He, therefore, is expected to welcome the decision of the ECI. If he welcomes the decision, it will add to his credibility and popularity especially in separatist circles. But, if he remains silent, he may lose some of the good will that he has generated in various areas.
Notwithstanding the assumptions, political experts opine that Bilal has no option but to go public on the issue. They expect a statement from Bilal in the coming days.
The issue of ECI recognition has been widely debated in Kashmir. In early 90s when militancy gained momentum, an organization issued a very important statement. It urged all the parties registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to surrender their registration immediately. However, nobody obeyed. This was the time when militants ruled the roost in Kashmir. They virtually took over the administration of the state. They decided long pending cases in a jiffy, got their relatives posted at key positions and directed the people not to pay taxes.
Interestingly the ECI has never taken note of their anti-election statements and campaigns (which they undertake to fool the masses). Normally the ECI should have put them on notice for their statements. It seems, the ECI also wants to keep them in good humour.
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