Srinagar : While the ruling National Conference (NC) said Thursday that the time was not right for holding state assembly elections, opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) favoured holding the elections on schedule.
Interacting with the three-member Election Commission of India team headed by Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi, the NC sought deferment of elections in view of the large scale devastation caused by flash floods in most parts of the state.
A statement issued by the NC here Thursday said: “Time is not ripe for holding elections as the atmosphere is not congenial due to devastation caused by floods and the trauma and shock the people are in.”
A three-member delegation of the National Conference led by General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar and comprising Provincial Presidents of Jammu and Kashmir Divisions, Devender Singh Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani, held a meeting with Zutshi, currently on a visit to the state.
“The delegation told Mr Zutshi that while National Conference has always upheld the democratic values and made many sacrifices to maintain the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir, it strongly feels that as of now the first priority should be relief, rehabilitation and welfare of the people and not the elections”.
The PDP chief spokesman, Naeem Akhtar told IANS after the PDP leaders interacted with the Election Commission team that “Elections are a democratic exercise that should not be deferred as a stable state government that comes to power would be better placed to address the problems of the people who suffered colossal damage during the unprecedented floods”.
Political parties including the BJP, the Congress and the National Panthers Party (NPP) have also pleaded for holding assembly elections on schedule.
Zutshi also had meetings with state officials including the chief secretary and the director general of police.
He interacted with district election officers of the Valley through video conferencing.
The team concluded its three-day visit Thursday. The team will submit its report to Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampat who will take the final decision on whether or not the elections should be held on schedule.
State assembly elections are scheduled in Nov-Dec as the six-year term of the assembly ends Jan 19, 2015.