Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Chief Spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday asked the Chief Election Commissioner to explain the reasons why assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being further delayed.
Referring to an interview given by CEO J&K P K Pole to a local daily from Jammu, Tanvir said in a statement issued ere said, “The interview touches every election under the sky but gives a miss to much-awaited assembly elections in J&K. With all pre-election processes in Jammu and Kashmir having been completed, as admitted by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar himself as back as March last year, the elections should have been conducted by now. The handy excuses for the delay in elections were either attributed to the security situation or bad weather. However, the Union home minister is regularly saying that the security situation is conducive for elections. Now, the weather has also improved markedly. What’s holding them back? If you ask whether elections can be held or not, my answer would be yes. How do they justify saying “no”?”
“By conveniently ignoring to talk about the legislative assembly election shows that BJP is being helped brazenly as they are facing huge resentment not only in Kashmir but in Jammu as well,” Tanvir said adding, “Gerrymandering of constituencies through a tame delimitation commission, curtailing movement and activities of mainstream political parties by revoking security and still BJP doesn’t seem to have the guts to face voters of J&K. There is a clear message that as long as BJP is terrified there won’t be elections. Since BJP has lost its trust deposit with the people in Jammu also, elections will continue to remain out of sight.”
Tanvir said that the interview has further added to the looming uncertainty over holding assembly polls in J&K. “While the CEO talks about Panchayat, ULB, and LS, what is stopping him from talking about the assembly polls? Is there any justification? Delay in holding state assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir does not only put a question mark on the credibility of an independent authority but also disenfranchises the people.”
Reiterating that Governor rule can never be a substitute for an elected government, Tanvir said, “There is a multi-tire democratic system in place across the country, where people vote in local bodies as well as assembly elections. Weren’t we treated with the promises that J&K will be brought to par with the rest of the states across the country in terms of rights and opportunities? Why is it that J&K continues to remain without an elected legislature and a representative government like other states? Why aren’t elections to an assembly held? The last one was held eight years ago. Contrary from bringing the region at par with other states, it’s been put at a lower pedestal.”
Sadiq reiterated that whenever elections are held in JK, BJP, and its proxies will be punished by the voters. “People have made it a point to teach them a lesson through ballots whenever elections are held.”
