Parties disappointed at EC move against holding parallel elections

PTI

Naseer Ganai

Srinagar, March 16

With the Election Commission announcing the poll schedule for the Lok Sabha and Assemblies in four states, political parties have expressed disappointment for omitting J&K.

National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said it was very disappointing and disheartening. “The government talks about one nation, one election. Here was an opportunity. Four states will have both parliamentary and Assembly elections. Why Jammu and Kashmir has been denied?” he asked. He said all the parties, which met the EC panel during its Srinagar visit, asked for Assembly polls along with parliamentary elections. He said there appeared to be something sinister in this delay.

NC’s vice president Omar Abdullah said, “The EC is unable to conduct Assembly polls in J&K with the general election even when it acknowledges that elections are due.”

The Election Commission has announced the schedule for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim.

“Further delay in Assembly elections in J&K is very unfortunate. Lok Sabha elections can be conducted, but Assembly election is an exception. How long J&K people will witness the suspension of democracy and continuous assault on their democratic rights?” asked Congress leader GA Mir.

NC spokesperson Ifra Jan said, “Yet the independent autonomous institution of our country, the Election Commission, refused to announce the dates for J&K election with Lok Sabha. Elections delayed indefinitely.”

Congress leader Ravinder Sharma said, “The ECI disappointed J&K people by not announcing overdue Assembly elections. Neither the SC direction nor ‘one nation, one election’ slogan could help J&K people.” PDP spokesperson Mohit Bhan said a crucial democratic space is being strategically denied to the people of J&K. PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said J&K was facing “exclusion” from the democratic process.

BJP’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina said, “We also wanted Assembly election to be held with the Lok Sabha polls. But it is the decision of the EC, which has said the Assembly polls will be held after the general election. It is a welcome step. There may have been security concerns.”

CPM leader MY Tarigami said the Election Commission not announcing the Assembly polls was a big disappointment in achieving early restoration of democracy.”

1 nation, 1 election?

It is very disappointing and disheartening. The government talks about one nation, one election. Here was an opportunity. Why has J&K been denied? — Farooq Abdullah, National Conference prez

Security concerns

We also want Assembly poll. But the election panel has said that it will be held after the General Election. There may have been security concerns. — Ravinder Raina, BJP’s J&K president

Assault on democracy

How long will people of Jammu and Kashmir witness the suspension of democracy and continuous assault on their democratic rights? — GA Mir, Congress leader

(With inputs)

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