As the ECI announced poll dates in J&K from November 25, almost all political parties welcomed the decision, except ruling National Conference which says the poll body rejected the suggestions of the democratically elected government.The chief minister Omar Abdullah in the past had stated that there would be low poll percentage witnessed in the flood hit areas of valley. The ECI on Saturday contradicted Omar’s statement, saying floods would not affect polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, talking to KNS, additional general secretary NC Dr Mustafa Kamal remarked that downplaying the suggestions put forth by the democratically elected government of the state has ‘put question mark on the credibility of the ECI in Jammu and Kashmir.’ “For Jammu and Kashmir it has been proved that ECI has a different yard stick and listening to the opposition and not to the ruling party was saddening,” Kamal told KNS.PDP chief spokesman and legislator Naeem Akhtar said that people in valley would vote in huge numbers to vote out the present ‘lame duck’ government. He remarked further that NC didn’t want time for the rehabilitation for enjoying the luxuries of power. “They don’t care about the flood torn people of Jammu and Kashmir. They in recent past have ordered thousands of back door appointments and have done numerous transfers. ECI must intervene so that the issue could be probed about the back door appointments and regularizations,” he added.
Congress senior vice president Ghulam Nabi Monga told KNS that people on ground were in favor of the stable government so that rehabilitation of flood affected areas is carried out properly. Monga added that Congress is prepared for the polls in JK.BJP Kashmir spokesman Khalid Jahangir in a statement to KNS welcomed the ECI announcement, saying that the party would take the state to the new horizons of prosperity and development and that the state has always been exploited by the vested interests since 1947. (KNS)