Srinagar, 16-03-2024 : National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah expressed concern on Saturday over the delay in holding the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir alongside the Lok Sabha polls, suggesting there might be ulterior motives behind the decision. He emphasized that if conditions were suitable for parliamentary elections, there should be no reason to delay the state election.
Abdullah pointed out the unanimous demand from various political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for conducting both parliamentary and UT elections in the region. He lamented the prolongation of the situation, questioning the continuation of governance under the Lieutenant Governor and stressing the need to win the trust of the people through democratic processes.
Citing the government’s push for “one nation, one election,” Abdullah argued that Jammu and Kashmir should have the opportunity to choose their government concurrently with parliamentary elections. He highlighted the simultaneous elections taking place in four states and raised concerns about the denial of this right to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speculating on the reasons for the delay, Abdullah suggested that there might be apprehensions about electoral outcomes, hinting at underlying uncertainties regarding victory. He expressed confidence in the electorate’s decision-making process and criticized the hesitation to hold elections alongside the Lok Sabha polls.
Regarding the National Conference’s candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, Abdullah mentioned that the party would announce the list within a week, reaffirming his willingness to contest if the party decides so.
NC leader Omar Abdullah echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the Election Commission’s inability to conduct simultaneous polls in Jammu and Kashmir despite acknowledging the impending Assembly election in the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission clarified that holding both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously in Jammu and Kashmir is not feasible due to security concerns.
The National Conference, part of the INDIA opposition bloc, is planning to contest all three Lok Sabha seats from Kashmir and is engaged in discussions with the Congress regarding the two seats in Jammu and the lone seat in Ladakh.
#FarooqAbdullah #JammuKashmirElectionDelay #AssemblyElectionConcerns #LokSabhaPolls #OneNationOneElection #NationalConference #PoliticalImplications #ElectoralTiming #DemocracyInQuestion #ElectionCommission #SecurityConcerns #DemocraticProcesses