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| And stalemate continues | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 14: Amidst a mix of contradictory expectations in state, the Election Commission has just stopped short of saying that assembly elections are deferred in Jammu and Kashmir as it announced schedule for five other states.
The Commission, in its press conference in New Delhi today, though indicated that a decision about Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly may be announced later but it refused to say anything further.
It is learnt that differences among the Election Commissioners appeared to have stalled a decision on holding elections in the state which saw worst violence of the times over Amarnath land row.
The Commission, which announced the assembly poll schedule for five states, did not give any decision on whether elections will be held in the troubled border state before the expiry of Governor's rule on January 10.
Though Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said at a crowded press conference that the EC is still assessing the situation in the state, the commission is understood to have deferred a decision on polls there reportedly because of difference of opinion among its three members.
While the two Election Commissioners, Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi, were reportedly in favour of holding elections in the state, the CEC was understood to have some reservations on it.
Gopalaswami is understood to have told the other two Commissioners that he may give a note of dissent if the EC wants to go ahead with the polls there. He is said to be of the view that while elections can be held, there should also be adequate participation by the people.
In case of a split among the three, the decision of the majority would prevail and at the moment the Commission is said to be keen on avoiding a split verdict. However, there was no official word from the Commission on the issue.
"At the moment, no decision has been taken. We are assessing the situation," said Gopalaswami, flanked by the other two commissioners.
Replying to a volley of questions as to what prevented the EC from going ahead with the polls when the Centre was ready with forces for the exercise, he said "we will get back to you as soon as we take a decision. Forces are one part of the issues. There are so many other issues. I do not want to say anything more".
Asked whether it meant that elections will not be held before March because of winter, the CEC said "that you leave it to us".
While key state political parties, PDP and NC, felt the current atmosphere was not conducive for the elections, BJP and the Left parties wanted immediate polls. The Congress said it was the Commission's call.
The term of the Assembly would have ended on November 20. But since the state was placed under Governor's rule, the elections have to be held before January ten. |
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