JAMMU: The statement of the Union Minister for Tourism and Givil Aviation, Ghulam Nabi Azad, that situation in Jammu and Kashmir was not conducive for holding Assembly elections has added to the political confusion in the state.
By saying this, Azad contradicted the earlier statements made by ‘various Central leaders, including the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister. Azad during his four day visit to the state after Consulting various leaders had said that the situation was not ripe for holding polls.
The assessment comes close on the heels of the statement by the Union Home Minister S.B. Chavan, before his departure to Canada that time was ripe for holding elections in the strife tom state and things could happen very soon. All the major political parties except the Congress had opposed elections, While the All Party Hurriyat Conference had rejected the idea, the National Conference chief, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, had put forward condition of granting autonomy and an economic package by Center before entering the poll arena, The Bharatiya Janata Party had been saying that peace should return before holding elections. However, the party has decided to fight elections as and when held. A large number of Congress leaders also admit in private that conditions particularly in the value are not conducive for holding elections. The release of some of the secessionist leaders has also not made any difference. All of them had rejected the polls out rightly. Moreover, the delay in the report of the Delimitation Commission has created further confusion. The Revision of electoral rolls has also not picked up. The voters list are put Up at government offices and police stations, Not many people have shown interest in the revision of rolls. The biggest problem has been to enroll new voters who have attained 18 years of age by January. 1995. The last date of submitting the duly filled forms has been fixed as November 7. People complain that forms are not available.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 28, 1994
