Jammu, Apr 16: Terming the latest controversy over `cash-for-vote’ as a creation of the media, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday advocated open ballot system for conduct of Legislative Council elections, on the pattern of Rajya Sabha.
We should look for open ballot system for electing LC members like that prevalent in the Rajya Sabha”, he told media persons on the sidelines of press award function, here today.
Admitting that there was cross-voting by some BJP members in the recent LC polls “for the reason best known to the party”, chief minister said the charges of corruption and horse-trading were mere imagination and government has nothing to do with it. On action being taken against the members, Omar said, “We cannot register cases on the basis of rumors but proof is needed for any police action. When cash-for-vote scandal hit Parliament, members placed money before the house after which action was taken. We will not register any case against anyone and if media is interested in it can do it on our behalf”.
Earlier speaking during the press award function organized in Central Hall of the Legislature, Omar said in recent years people look at politicians with suspicion and to some extent they (politicians) are themselves responsible for this.
The upper house has great role in the democratic system and in the state, the elders have always played a great role. He said that despite notion among some sections that upper house is not needed, at times some very important issues are raised by the elders.
Calling up journalists to be free and fair, Chief Minister said that press and democracy are two sides of same coin and they need each other. “Without media there would be no democracy and without democracy there would be no media. Both are inter-dependent”, he said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 16 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 17 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST