NC-Cong confrontation likely to cast shadow on conduct of ULB Polls

Sagar submits report on BDC elections to CM

5 Dariya News (Tariq Bhat)

Srinagar 14-Apr-2013

With relations between coalition partners in state government - National Conference and Congress - having reached an all time low, National Conference is mulling to resist its ally’s demand of holding the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in the month of June fearing that the simmering anger in the aftermath of Afzal Guru hanging may scuttle chances of NC win in the valley.The Panchayti Raj Ministry headed by senior NC Minster has instead expressed favored conducting of BDC polls. The Ministry is believed to have submitted a report to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is likely to send it to the coalition Coordination Committee before taking it to Cabinet for the final approval of dates.  

However the sources in the Political establishment are apprehensive about the possibility of BDC or ULB elections in the near future. “The government is caught in a catch 22 situation. Since the tourism season has already begun and there is every possibility of situation worsening in valley in wake of the polls. On the other hand, they have the parliament elections approaching in February which has put them in a tight spot”,informed sources told 5dariyanews A senior Politician wishing not to be named told *5dariyanews* that recent confrontational approach between the two coalition parties is also an impediment for both the parties in the government to contest the elections jointly. “I don’t see any possibility of these elections actually taking place in near future. They all may be claiming of being ready, but in the heart of the hearts they know, there are impediments which would definitely come in way of arriving to a final consensus”, a senior leader of ruling National Conference told *5dariyanews* on the condition of anonymity. He added that there was a well planed strategy from Congress on the issue and said, “Congress wants to kill the chances of a win for NC in wake of Afzal Guru Hanging.” “They know, people are angry in valley on Afzal Guru’s hanging, and their (Congress) vote bank is actually in Jammu where people appreciate the hanging. So, it is clear why they insist on conducting the Polls in June”, claimed the NC leader.A senior Minster in the Omar Abdullah Cabinet also said that he was not sure of the local bodies’ elections actually taking place ‘at least in near future’.“No, there is no chance of the elections being held in coming days or months. The coalition partners are at logger heads with each other, how would they stand jointly in elections when they don’t like each other”, the Minster told