Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 1: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Saturday said further delay in the restoration of an elected legislator will make the democratic recovery of the region unattainable.
Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq also rued the “apathy” of the center in salvaging democracy in Jammu and Kashmir and said that long standing “undemocratic rule” has increased the hardships of people.
“Recently even the CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) had also acknowledged the deepening void in J&K due to the lingering undemocratic rule.
If he is cognizant of this fact then why aren’t elections being held. They have been citing one excuse after another, first it was security, then it was weather and then the run up preparations for the election process. Now when the weather is clear, and the situation is admittedly normal; not holding the polls despite the ECI nod indicates the BJP is afraid of the polls,” Sadiq said while talking to reporters in Srinagar.
He said when the party representatives asked the Chief Election Commissioner why the ECI wasn’t holding the polls in J&K, the visiting delegation members were told that the commission has completed the delimitation exercise, voter list is also prepared, polling booths are also identified and election staff is also prepared and that ECI is waiting for two things, weather and security clearance.
“It had made it clear to the delegation members that they were only waiting for weather and security. What holds them now from going with the exercise? Security, we are being told, has improved significantly, and the weather is clear,” he said
Sadiq contended that further delay in the restoration of an elected legislator in J&K will make the democratic recovery of the region unattainable.
“The new model in place in Jammu and Kashmir is bereft of democratic moorings with no say of locals including Dogras, Kashmiris, Paharis, Gujjars in the decision making process. Consequences of denying democratic rights to people would not augur well for the prized freedom, stability, and strength of our country. It will put the entire region on the path of terminal alienation,” he added. |
