Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 16: Political parties today split over Government’s proposed move to get Anantnag by-election deferred beyond January 4 with ruling PDP-BJP Alliance supporting the move while major opposition parties including National Conference, Congress, National Panthers Party and CPM calling for holding the election within the stipulated period and clubbing Srinagar Lok Sabha seat also with it.
The different opinions came to light during an All Party Meeting called by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shantmanu here this afternoon on the directions of the Election Commission of India. Shantmanu will submit his report to the ECI, which has to take final decision on the by-election in the next few days.
As per the Constitutional provision, entire election process for Anantnag by-election has to be completed before January 4, and for that, the election has to be conducted around December 20 before Anantnag becomes snow-bound. A Parliament approval is required for deferring the election beyond six month period of January 4 as PDP and BJP want the by-election to be conducted in April in view of present unrest in the Kashmir valley and upcoming harsh weather conditions.
Shantmanu told the Excelsior after the All Party Meeting that he has taken the view of major political parties during today’s meeting and would be finalizing his report based on the view of (political parties), taking into account law and order situation, weather conditions etc and submit it to the Election Commission of India tomorrow for taking final view.
Shantmanu said PDP, NC, Congress, CPM, NPP and NCP attended today’s meeting while BJP had given its letter. BSP and CPI didn’t attend.
He said he has taken view of all political parties and clubbed with other factors submit comprehensive report to the Election Commission, which will take a decision on whether to hold the election in the middle of December or defer it for some time. He added that even the political parties, which wanted timely election, had, however, stated that the Election Commission has the right to take final decision.
However, the CEO said, they have no report on Srinagar Lok Sabha seat by-election so far.
State Chief Secretary BR Sharma had written to the Election Commission of India on October 14 seeking deferment of Anantnag by-election. He had cited current unrest in the Valley as major reason for deferring the election. On the basis of the Government letter, the Election Commission of India had asked the CEO to submit his report.
Sources said PDP general secretary Sartaj Madni, who represented his party in the All Party Meeting, wanted Anantnag by-poll to be deferred from December to April in view of present law and order problem and harsh weather conditions. He was of the view that situation was not conducive for holding the election to South Kashmir’s vacant Lok Sabha seat in December.
The BJP, which didn’t attend the meeting, sent a letter to the CEO endorsing the Government and PDP stand for deferring the Anantnag election to April. The BJP, in its letter, has also cited law and order situation and weather conditions for deferment of the by-poll.
However, all other Opposition parties favoured timely election to fill Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, which had been vacated by Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in June end after she was elected to the Legislative Assembly from Anantnag.
Former Minister and National Conference leader Saifullah Mir, who represented party in the meeting, said the NC was ready for the elections and ensuring conducive atmosphere for that was responsibility of the Government and the Election Commission.
“We want Lok Sabha by-election to both Srinagar and Anantnag constituencies to be held together. The Government should create conducive conditions for holding the elections by restoring security withdrawn from the NC leaders,” Saifullah told the Excelsior after the meeting.
Srinagar Lok Sabha seat had also fallen vacant in September after PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra had resigned from the party as well as Lok Sabha in protest against the State Government action on the protesters during the unrest.
Congress chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma, former MLC and Gulzar Wani, MLA Shangus said the timely election should be held to both Lok Sabha seats (Srinagar and Anantnag) as Jammu and Kashmir is being denied of its two representatives in the Parliament.
“This is for the State and Centre Governments to create conducive conditions as any election in Jammu and Kashmir is a matter of challenge. As exams are being conducted smoothly in Kashmir, why can’t the Election Commission hold smooth polls to two Lok Sabha seats”?, Sharma asked.
NPP leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh asked: “if the situation is not conducive for initiating political process in the Valley, how a political Government can run. The Government, which can’t hold election, should quit immediately,” he said, adding for deferring the election, the Parliament has to make amendments as by-poll to any Lok Sabha or Assembly seats had to be held within six months of the resignation by the person holding the seat.
Harshdev said situation was more disturbed in 1996 and virtually out of control when Assembly elections were held in the State after seven year long President’s rule.
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