All DC’s except Budgam said yes

Holding polls in time.

Srinagar: With Chief Minister Omar Abdullah claiming that the situation is not conducive for holding elections in flood ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, but the ground situation depicts
different picture altogether as all the district heads have already given nod for holding elections on scheduled time.

Last week the Election Commission (EC) through video conferencing had interacted with all the Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir who except DC Budgam have given their nod for holding elections in Kashmir at its scheduled time. The Budgam DC not surprisingly is supposed to be very close to a sitting NC Minister.

The same Minister according to sources had also called a couple
of other DC’s to convey to EC that situation on the ground was not conducive for polls.

The DC Budgam is reported to have expressed surprise over his colleagues statement about
all being ok for polls in the valley. When probed by EC about his reservations about conducting elections DC Budgam remained
evasive.

“The DCs have assured the EC that their respective districts are ready to hold the assembly election at its scheduled time,” said a source.

Further the Chief Minister has also
apprehended that there would be less voter turnout in capital city if EC holds election in the state at scheduled time.

The Chief Minister had visited New Delhi and is pressing the Election Commission apart from the Centre government to delay the assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir, but
at the same time he fails to garner support from the state based political parties which seems to be least bothered about his visit.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the National Conference (NC) has lost its credibility among people adding that the NC was scared of its defeat in coming assembly polls.

“NC is not in a position to face the public after its dismal performance over the years.

Now they want to build their lost credibility due to which NC is trying to extend the time of their government,” said PDP spokesperson
Nayeem Akhter.

He said that it was the right time for assembly election in the state. “Election is a compulsion besides people are suffering here. Their
rehabilitation is not possible unless this government is replaced by another government. This government is the biggest
impediment to the relief as its workers have committed various fraud activities in relief distribution,”Akhter added.

Meanwhile NC’s coalition partner Congress also seems to be unhappy with the Chief Ministers opinion of delaying elections in JK.

“There won’t be less voter turnout in Kashmir. It is NCs personal assessment but we recommend that elections should be at its scheduled time. There should be phase wise
polling in the areas which are not affected by floods,” said congress vice president, G N Monga.