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| EC to take final call by weekend | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Sep 8
After obtaining a view point from all major political parties on timing of elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Election Commission of India is likely to take a final decision by this weekend.
Even though a majority of political parties, mainly the Kashmir based parties –the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party –have clearly opposed holding election when they are –October-November –but sources main that possibilities of putting off elections are least. “Government of India is committed to hold elections in time and have the popular government returned to Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible”, said the sources.
Following a meeting with the political parties, the Election Commission of India will hold a meeting with the Union Home Secretary to get an assessment of the security situation and then have a meeting with the top administrative brass in Jammu and Kashmir. It is learnt that the EC’s meeting with the Union Home Secretary is expected tomorrow while another meeting with Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Secretary and DGP is likely on Wednesday.
Security aspect is now most import input for the Election Commission of India to decide the timing of elections. If the security concerns are Okayed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the possibilities of holding elections in time will certainly brighten up.
Meanwhile, the Home Ministry is learnt to have said that adequate paramilitary forces are available to assist in holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which saw continuous large scale violence for over two months in the wake of Amarnath land row.
Agency reports quoted a senior officer of Home Ministry as saying that enough central forces were available in the troubled state to ensure orderly polls.
The Election Commission, which elicited views of different political parties today on the dates of assembly polls, is likely to discuss the security scenario threadbare with the Home Ministry shortly.
Deployment of security forces will be a crucial factor before the Commission decides the poll schedule. The Centre had rushed additional personnel of paramilitary forces after the Amarnath dispute snowballed into a major crisis and the state witnessed bouts of violence and bandh for a prolonged period. Those forces are still present in the state and could be used for election purposes, sources said.
While National Conference and PDP, the two mainstream political parties in the state, feel the situation is not conducive for poll, BJP and Left parties want early election. The tenure of the Assembly was to expire on November 20 but the state was placed under Governor's rule which ends on January 10. |
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