Jammu and Kashmir parties pitch for simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha, Assembly

Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly pitched for holding simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and Assembly in the restive state.

At the all-party meeting called by J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar on Friday, almost all the parties favoured holding of Assembly polls with the Lok Sabha elections.

“Almost all the political leaders were unanimous in holding simultaneous polls and expressed their readiness for the same. They suggested several measures to improve the electoral process to ensure smooth and transparent elections in the state,” said an official spokesman after the meeting.

National Conference, which along with PDP had boycotted the recently concluded urban local bodies and panchayat polls on the issue of Article 35 A, pushed for holding the two polls together. “We want both polls should be held simultaneously,” said Imran Nabi Dar, National Conference spokesman.

Shunning the baggage of boycott politics, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) too pitched for holding both polls together in the state. “Let the Election Commission take the call,” said Syed Suhail Bukhari, Media Advisor to PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.

BJP, however, put the ball in the court of Election Commission saying they are already in the poll mode and comfortable in both scenarios — holding polls simultaneously or separately.

“We are open to both. It is the ECI which has to take the call. We will also not have problems if elections are held afterwards,” said Sunil Sethi, chief spokesman of J&K BJP.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar said his office has already taken necessary steps for holding the elections (simultaneous polls), but the decision lies with the Election Commission, who will take a final call at an appropriate time after taking into consideration all the aspects.

Kumar said a team of Election Commission will visit the state soon to have a review of the situation with political leaders and other stakeholders for holding the elections.

J&K was placed under President’s rule last month and elections as per constitution have to be held within six months. Unlike other states, the J&K has to be placed under the Governor’s rule for six months in case of fall of the government or no party or combination is in a position to form the government.