DELHI, India: The Prime Minister’s office and Union Home Ministry are currently examining a formal suggestion from the election commission that the election to the state legislative assemblies in four states where elections are constitutionally due and in Mizoram, which has just received the statehood, be held simultaneously in the last week of February, 1987. West Bengal and Haryana are the two states out of the four. Others are Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala which have unofficially indicated their preference for September month when elections should be held. The West Bengal would like the poll to be held in the last week of February. Haryana Chief Minister has informed the Center that he would prefer the date in June for the elections.
According to Dr. R.P. Bhalla, Secretary to the Election Commission, the electoral rolls for all five states where elections are due are being revised. He expects the rolls for Jammu and Kashmir to be ready for publication by January 19th and for Haryana by Jan. 31. In any case the election commission on its part will be ready to hold poll in these states any time in February when the Center makes up its mind on the holding of the election.
In raising the demand for delinking Haryana election schedule from that of other states. Mr. Bansi Lal is understood to have pointed out to the Prime Minister that this midyear elections would be more advantageous to his party.
Mr. Bansi Lal was appointed Chief Minister of Haryana in the first week of June replacing Mr. Bhajan Lal.
Mr. Bansi Lal contended that he hardly had time to stream line the administration and ensure development and progress. The state had to pass through a prolonged state of uncertainty, both administrative and politically because of the situation in Punjab which had direct effect on Haryana.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 2, 1987
