New Delhi: The Election Commission on Tuesday didn’t announce polls for Jammu and Kashmir with reports that three members of the commission couldn’t agree on the date.
No decision has been taken "at the moment" on holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir, said Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami said at a press conference flanked by the other two commissioners Naveen Chawla and S Y Quraishi. He said the commission is still assessing the
“We will get back to you as soon as we take a decision in Jammu and Kashmir. Forces are one part of the issues. There are so many other issues. I do not want to say anything more."
"That you leave it to us," said Gopalaswami when he was asked if elections won’t be held before March 2009 because of winter in the state, which is under President’s rule.
The commission announced one-day poll in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Mizoram while Naxalite-infested Chattisgarh will have two-phased elections between November 14 and December 4. Votes of all states would be counted on December 8.
However, Senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley is of the opinion that not holding elections on time in Jammu & Kashmir will only increase separatist activities.
"Not holding elections on time sends the wrong signals internationally. Holding elections will expand the space for mainstream political parties and if not, more space will be created for separatist activities. So holding elections in J&K is in everybody's interests," says Arun Jaitely.
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