SRINAGAR: Unlike ruling PDP, all other political parties put the onus of decision-making about the deferring of Wednesday poll in South Kashmir on the Election Commission of India (ECI), reports said. Political parties were invited for a quick discussion by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Monday afternoon after ruling party candidate suggested postponement of polling.
CEO told representatives of the political parties to share their assessment which on the demand made earlier by Tassaduq Mufti so that he forwards it to the ECI.
“We told the meeting that we were not ready for elections but the exercise was thrust upon us,” Nasir Sogami, who was part of a three-member delegation that attended the meeting, told Kashmir Life. “We told them the Election Commission did not listen to us then and it decided on basis of the government assessment and now when the ruling party candidate is feeling the heat, we are being asked to suggest.”
“If the candidate of the ruling party feels unsafe to contest the election it means the situation has deteriorated to the extent that people are afraid of going to contest, then the Chief Minister lacks any moral right to stick to the throne and must hand over the government to the governor,” Sogami said he told the meeting. “We told them that the government cannot play both sides.”
Congress took the stand that poll for Wednesday should not be deferred or cancelled.
“Our argument was that if the situation was never conducive as they put before the Commission earlier, why the polls were announced in the first instance,” Ghulam Nabi Monga told Kashmir Life about his intervention in the meeting. “If you followed the government assessment and now you find flaws in that, the Chief Minister must put in her papers.”
Waheed Parra, who represented PDPs Tassaduq Mufti said his party had told the meeting that the situation on ground is not conducive.
“I forcefully made my argument that Sunday happening indicated the situation and the election for Wednesday should not be held,” Parra told Kashmir Life.
Interestingly, there was a quick brawl between some BJP member and NCs Mohammad Akbar Lone. “Ram Madhav Kay Liya Yehan Koi Jegah Nahin,” Lone was quoted saying towards the BJP man with his “finger” raised. “We do not have space for BJP and RSS here.” This has added a bit of heat to the meeting for the time being.
The meeting was necessitated by Mufti Jr going to press Monday morning saying the Wednesday poll should be deferred in wake of happenings on Sunday. He said if his withdrawal makes ECI defer polls, he will do.
