Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 19: Former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Baig today hit out at J&K Chief Electoral Officer on the addition to non local voters and said his statement has created chaos in the entire Union Territory.
Baig who was awarded the Padma Bhushan last year for public affairs said the Government of India should come clear over the issue.
Senior politician and a legal luminary Baig said the statement made by the CEO was irresponsible and illegal.
“If he gave this statement and was ill-informed, then it is pardonable. But, if he has given it on someone’s, some party’s or some authority’s behalf, then not only has he hurt the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but he has also torn the constitution of India,” Baig said while addressing a press conference in Srinagar.
“I think he has made the statement about new voters in J&K out of his hat and has ripped apart the constitution. He spoke without authority, without legal jurisdiction. I appeal to the GoI to take a very serious note of his dereliction of his duty,” he said.
Baig said the Union Government showed its intentions by repealing Articles 370 and 35-A in August 2019.
“But, rubbing salt on that wound by such statements will not do any good to the country or to J&K. This is a dangerous statement,” he said.
He said the statement made by the CEO was illegal.
“The basis of statement he made is SRO 167 in exercise of powers conferred by Article 309 of Constitution of India. Article 309 deals with services, employment and not elections or voting,” he said.
“When he says 25 lakh more people will become voters, first it is wrong legally. Also, who are these 25 lakh? By issuing such unreasonable, irresponsible statement he has created ripples and chaos in people,” Baig said.
Senior politician Baig appealed to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Security Advisor to take to task such people who create fear and division among people.
“I appeal to the PM, MHA, call all political parties of J&K, civil society, thinkers, writers, journalists, who are all stakeholders, all former cabinet ministers, MPs, call them to Delhi one by one and talk to them without any hatred, any fear,” he suggested.
On all party meeting conveyed by Farooq Abdullah, Baig said if he was invited, he would go.
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