J&K political parties say ‘support simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly polls’

J&K has not held state elections in six years (File).

Srinagar:

The National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Congress and Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad Party have called for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under President’s Rule Since then, no state polls have been held for six years. .

The Election Commission of India – a poll panel that began a two-day visit on Monday to review preparations ahead of announcing the date – is reportedly considering such a move.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will hold general elections in April/May for their six Lok Sabha seats and are expected to hold assembly polls by September 30 as ordered, the first step towards restoration of statehood. Step by step Supreme Court.

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Senior N.C. leader Nasir Sogami and former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad – a group set up by the government to explore the possibility Members of the One Nation, One Election committee – who claimed “people are more concerned about parliamentary polls” – have spoken out.

“I am in favor of holding simultaneous elections in J&K. I want elections to be held before midnight. People of J&K are more concerned about Assembly elections than Assembly elections,” Mr. Azad said.

Azad is likely to contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri assembly seat, which is currently held by the National Conference’s Hasnain Masoodi. The seat has traditionally rotated between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the NC led by former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

“I have not ruled out contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri Assembly constituency. Many people have asked me to contest. There is a higher demand for me to enter the Assembly,” he told NDTV.

Speaking to New Delhi TV after the NC met a team from the Election Commission of India, Mr Sujami said the NC had also demanded simultaneous elections in the Union Territory.

“This (simultaneous polls) is also in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of ‘One Nation, One Election’,” he said, adding that the NC also said state polls were long overdue.

The national conference also demanded a level playing field for both polls.

The poll team, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, met representatives of various political parties on Monday. The ECI has met officials of the Union Home Ministry.

The Center has approved the deployment of 600 paramilitary companies to ensure the safe conduct of elections in J&K; this is in addition to the existing massive security setup.

A BJP delegation also met the poll panel team and said the party is ready for the assembly polls. However, the party left the announcement of the date to the discretion of the Electoral Commission.

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