Srinagar, Apr 26: National Conference (NC) President Omar Abdullah today requested the Election Commission of India ( ECI) to hold the Lok Sabha (LS) polls in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency as per the schedule and not to go for any rescheduling of the poll date.
He was addressing a press conference here amid the reports that the polling date may be rescheduled in the constituency following representations made by various political parties, candidates and individuals in this direction to Election Commission of India (ECI). Following the representations, the ECI has directed the J&K Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer to submit a detailed report immediately on road conditions, weather and accessibility related constraints besides any other relevant points mentioned in the representations.
Addressing a press conference here, Omar hoped that polling in the constituency is held on schedule on May 7.
“That is in the best interests of the democracy, democratic spirit and the voters,” he said. The NC Vice President stated that postponement can have adverse effects on democracy and electoral process and people’s faith in democracy. Senior NC leader and party candidate for Anantnag –Rajouri constituency Mian Altaf Ahmad was also present at the press conference. Mian Altaf has written a letter to ECI not to defer the polls.
Omar said, “For the last several days we were listening to reports that since National Conference candidate has a significant edge to win the polls in the constituency, BJP, some parties supporting it, administration and ECI are hatching up a conspiracy and trying to postpone the polls. The excuse will be that condition of Mughal Road will not be good for vehicular traffic movement. On behalf of National Conference I appeal them or warn them not to take such a step. The demand for postponement has not gone from every party,” he said.
Omar said that there is no justification in postponing the polls.” First among those who have made the representation are BJP and People’s Conference, who are not contesting from Anantnag. What they have to do with these elections? Are they again proving that they are helping some candidate from backdoor? Why is ECI considering their plea.? Does that mean if polls are held in Kerala or Tamil Nadu and I will write a letter to election commission and they will entertain it. If the ECI will not take notice of my letter there how will it take notice of the parties not contesting polls in Anantnag-Rajouri. Secondly the president of a party and his party have separately made the representation to ECI for rescheduling of the polling. There is hardly anybody significant left who have made the representation. ECI must listen to other parties as well before taking a decision. If our views are ignored then we will feel that under a conspiracy it is being done. Its results will not be good,” Omar said.
He stated there is no need to postpone the polls. NC Vice President added that Mughal Road is open now and even if it gets closed for few hours due to rain it reopens immediately.” Had it been January or February, I would have concerns about the Mughal Road. I was the chief minister for six years and I know managing or keeping open Mugual Road in April or May is possible. If they can keep Srinagar- Leh road open and roads to Gurez, Tanghdar, and Machil also open then what is the problem in not keeping the Mughal Road open? My candidate Mian Altaf sahib was telling me that if there is a problem in Mughal Road he can reach Rajouri and Poonch districts through Reasi,” Omar said.
He alleged that postponement tactics are being used to cause hurdles in the victory of National Conference candidate. “These tactics are not something new in Anantnag. They have done it earlier also in 2017 during PDP- BJP coalition government. At that time when they felt that the candidate of the establishment, brother of the then chief minister was losing they postponed the polls. Large number of voters were defranchised. Since then the elections were held there,” NC Vice President said.
He said that even if the elections are postponed his party candidate will win at that time also.”We will continue our campaigning in the constituency,” NC leader said. Omar said that all options including legal are open to NC if elections are postponed. He hoped that ECI holds the elections as per the schedule. “It only has to direct J&K administration to keep Mughal Road open. If our view is not considered we have an option to go to the court as well,” Omar said.
Referring to various parties supporting the People’s Conference candidate Sajad Gani Lone in Baramulla constituency against him, Omar said his fight is not against a particular candidate or party. “BJP is getting all these parties together against him. Earlier, they were describing me as a tourist. Now they are feeling insecure from the tourist and I am feeling that I am the strongest candidate there,” he said.