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| Except BJP, Left, none ready to face polls | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Sep 8
Much on the expected lines all parties –except the BJP and CPI(M) –have favoured putting off the elections to early next year citing one pretext or the other.
The Election Commission of India today had a meeting in New Delhi with the representatives of major political parties having electoral stakes in Jammu and Kashmir for knowing their opinion about the ground situation and possible timing for holding elections. As already reported the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are due by October-November but most of the parties or ready to face polls in the present fragile situation.
After emerging out of the meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, the BJP was quite clear and explicit on the timing of polls exactly when they are due. The PDP and the National Conference pointed out that situation was not suitable for holding elections at this stage. The Panthers Party wanted fresh delimitation of assembly constituencies to be held first before announcing the elections. CPI(M) said that there was not major reason for putting off the elections.
Interestingly, the Congress did a purely diplomatic act by leaving it to the Election Commission on whether to hold elections when they are due or postpone. Sources, however, said that inside the meeting the Congress –represented by PCC Chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad –gave an opinion to the Election Commission that situation both in Kashmir Valley and also in Jammu was not suited for elections in the immediate near future.
In the normal course, the tenure of the Assembly was to expire on November 20. However, the Assembly was dissolved and Governor's rule imposed following a political crisis in the wake of the Amarnath land row which triggered violence in Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley resulting in imposition of curfew in both parts for prolonged periods.
The four-member National Conference delegation led by Omar Abdullah told the Commission that it was not against the democratic process but holding of polls in the current situation "will have serious ramification internationally also.
"We told the Commission that for holding election, ground situation must be conducive. The atmosphere must be peaceful so that all sections of people can take part in the polls," Abdullah told reporters after his meeting.
"We have given our views on the current prevailing situation in the state. We said the need of the hour is to take corrective steps in Kashmir," he said.
Another regional party and estranged ally of UPA, the PDP, also echoed similar views saying the party requested the EC not to hold the polls as situation in the situation in the state is not conducive.
The three-member PDP delegation led by its General Secretary Nizzamuddin Bhat said that the "government's authority has been weakened. People's anger is very high. Election is now a non-issue. Any fiddling with the current situation will further dent the system."
BJP delegation led by its vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters after its meeting that the party favoured holding of polls in October-November.
"Even in 2002 the situation was very bad for polls. There are always separatists (Hurriyat) who will be opposing the elections. But still the elections were held in the state," he pointed out.
A Congress delegation, which included former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Union Ministers Saif-ud-din Soz, Prithviraj Chavan and Lal Singh, also met the Commission and conveyed that it will go by the panel's decision.
"...Whatever date the EC deems fit, we will cooperate. But the elections should be free and fair," Azad told reporters after the meeting.
CPI National Secretary D Raja and CPI(M) politburo member Ramachandran Pillai also supported conducting of elections on time. "We think elections can be held. Why not? There can be trouble here and there but it does not mean we give up holding of elections or postpone them," Raja said.
NCP and Panthers party, however, demanded delimitation of the constituencies first before finalising the poll date.
The EC elicited the views of leaders of different parties separately. EC sources said consultations will continue with other stake holders like the government and relevant agencies before taking a decision of holding a meeting with Union Home Secretary. |
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