Jammu, Mar 05 (KNS): National Conference on Tuesday called for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the recent incident-free conduct of Panchayat and civic polls in the state stand testimony to conducive atmosphere for the democratic exercise.
A three-member National Conference delegation, led by Provincial President Devender Singh Rana, comprising Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and Javed Rana, met the Election Commission team headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora here and put forth the case of the National Conference for immediate elections to Legislative Assembly.
“Duly elected and representative government has no alternative, no matter how experienced the Advisors assisting the Governor in running the state administration may be”, Rana told the visiting team adding that even the worst of the elected government is better than selected dispensation. He said the state is passing through a difficult phase with border shelling taking toll of people in the forward areas. To mitigate their problems and to meet the challenges facing the state, the need for elected government is all the more important, he said.
“Sagacity demands holding of elections on immediate basis, as any delay will only deprive the people of their own government”, Rana said, hoping the Election Commission of India will take a call on this keeping in view the democratic aspirations of the people of the state.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHe said restoration of democracy is in the larger interest of the people and the state, especially in view of the obtaining situation. Given the multitude of issues faced to the people, there is immense need of a popular government so that their elected representatives can reach out to them and address their problems, he added.
The Provincial President said holding of elections without further delay will go a long way in improving the situation, as the attempts of communalism and regionalism besides voices of jingoism had potential of vitiating the atmosphere. These tendencies can be checked only by the chosen representatives of the people.
Reposing full faith in the institution, Rana also exuded confidence that the ECI will ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Rana recalled how the elections to Legislative Assembly were conducted in Governor’s Rule during the tenures of L. K Jha decades ago, Gen K. V Krishna Rao in 1996 and as lately as in 2008 by Governor N. N Vohra in the backdrop of Amarnath land row agitation.
“We see no reason why the smooth and simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly cannot be held now under the present dispensation, especially in the wake of smooth conduct of Panchayat and urban local bodies’ polls”, Rana told the Commission, hoping early decision will end the political uncertainty in the state. (KNS)