SRINAGAR, Mar 15: National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah has emphasized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) crucial role in revitalizing democracy in Jammu and Kashmir by announcing dates for both parliamentary and assembly polls in the Union Territory.
Expressing his sentiments to reporters in Srinagar, Abdullah stated, “We have no expectations from the Election Commission. The EC should play its role as part of its mission of maintaining democracy. It has been 10 years that J-K has not seen an assembly election.”
Pointing to the significance of the recently submitted report by the former President Ram Nath Kovind-led committee on ‘one nation one election,’ Abdullah underscored the opportunity to initiate this policy starting from Jammu and Kashmir.
“The former president has submitted a report on ‘one nation, one election.’ What can we hope for from them: drum-beating ‘one nation one election’ if you do not start from J-K. Is it to fool the people?” he remarked. “There have to be elections in J-K and it is a golden opportunity. Let them restore democracy fully here and announce the dates of both Parliament as well as assembly elections,” he added.
Responding to inquiries regarding potential meetings of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to address internal differences, Abdullah deferred the matter to the alliance’s office bearers.
“If there is (a meeting), you ask (alliance president) Farooq Abdullah. I am not an office bearer in the PAGD, I belong to NC. Ask those who hold an office in the PAGD,” he clarified.
When questioned about the NC’s plans to announce candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Abdullah simply stated, “whenever we wish to.”
