Click to play videoNew Delhi: Political parties are lashing out at the Election Commission’s silence over the Jammu and Kashmir polls.
J-K is considered to be the most contentious election bound state and even the political parties agree that the EC cannot afford to be divided over the issue.
The mini general election that the country is set to witness in about a month’s time has not yet been announced in terms of dates as yet.
Sources say that the Chief election Commission headquarters (Nirvachan Sadan) is divided on the issue. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami is the only one in favour of holding polls.
“We have considered all the issues. At the moment so far no decision has been taken. We are still assessing the situation as far as with regards to Jammu and Kashmir polls,” said N Gopalaswami.
Predictably, those protesting the loudest are the ones that stand to gain with an early poll.
''Not holding elections on time sends the wrong signals internationally. Holding elections will expand the space for mainstream political parties and if not, more space will be created for separatist activities. So holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir is in everybody's interests,” said BJP national general secretary, Arun Jaitley.
The BJP's views are also surprisingly those of the government but for a different reason. The Congress is keen on holding polls on time as it has already lost the political space game, set and match in the Amarnath land row.
Any further delay only means that the political space gets further gobbled up by the Hurriyat Conference.
The PDP which fears a near rout especially in the Valley doesn’t want an election on time.
“Let us restore the confidence of the people first,” said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
Mehbooba had earlier welcoming Election Commission's decision to defer announcement of the assembly poll in Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP has said that the Centre must now reach out to people of the Jammu and Kashmir with conciliatory and confidence-building measures to address their concerns.
The PDP may not have its wish granted. Election Commission sources say that it is more of a logistical problem in terms of troops, security and the weather. The state will need about 550 companies of paramilitary forces in what could be a four phase poll spread over six weeks.
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami said at a press conference that the Commission had not taken any decision yet on holding election in the border state.
Earlier this week, the CEC, N Gopalaswami's five-member team has wrapped up its visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The CEC had met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra, civil, police and security officials in the state.
Agencies are keen that elections be held on schedule in November-December to send out a message that the state was undaunted by threats.
CNN-IBN had earlier reported that not taking chances, preparations on the ground have begun.
Ten thousand election voting machines (EVMs) have been dispatched to various districts.
Also 45,000 officials for 9113 polling booths have been kept ready for the smooth conduct of polls.
The election office has also prepared 80 per cent of the Election Photo Identity.
After much dabbling and hesitation, decks finally seem to have been cleared for the conduct of polls in the beleaguered state.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be keenly watched exercise in the country and outside it.
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