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Squabble on Panchayat, ULB polls in J&K

Zafar Bhat. Dated: 9/19/2018 11:55:15 AM

Zafar Bhat
Jammu, Sep 18
Despite the firm opposition exhibited by the political parties in the state, the government decided to go ahead with the conduction of polls which reflects the squabble on Panchayat and urban Local Bodies polls in Jammu and Kashmir.
Whereas, with the announcement of holding polls on time and police assurance of smooth conducting of polls, the political parties who had announced before a month of polls scheduled that they would not take part in upcoming Panchayat and urban Local Bodies polls laying down the reason of unrest in state, are in row with the government decision.
Moreover, Peoples Democratic Party on Monday termed the announcement of Panchayat and urban Local Bodies polls in Jammu and Kashmir reflection of Government of India ’s sheer arrogance, cautioning that such a move could turn the already violence infested


state into an inferno.
Pertinently, the National Conference is also on the same line of boycotting the polls for reason of permanent safeguard of 35A.
Notably, NC, PDP and other political groups have already been voicing their concern that the situation in the state is not conducive for the conduction of any elections and that the central government has to initiate confidence-building measures in a bid to rebuild peoples’ trust and faith in the institutions of democracy. New Delhi instead of taking into consideration the views and opinions put forth by state’s political spectrum went ahead by announcing the poll dates.
While, Jitendra Singh had said that political groups in the state fear rout and that is why they oppose holding of the polls, countering this Hanjura said the BJP leader should have kept the fact in mind that PDP has already proven its might by emerging as the single largest party in the state and that such statements coming from the BJP are proving that the party is playing as ostrich with its head stuck in sand when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir. However, some parties are asking that the government should have convened an all-party meeting to discuss this issue. Ironically, Keeping the prevailing situation in consideration has become everyone’s mouthpiece to boycott the polls.
Concerning the current atmosphere, the question raises that Whether New Delhi has to understand what it will achieve by holding such polls when the situation merits pacification and reconciliation on the ground? Whether government’s linking of polls with the hearing of 35-A has acted as a spoilsport in the entire process was.
Even, it is said by some political leaders that it was wrong on behalf of the government to use polls as a reason to seek deferment of Article 35A in the SC. While the mainstream political parties had also urged the Centre to clear its stand over Article 35A before announcing ULB and Panchayat elections. Therefore, the current atmosphere does not stand for the empowerment of institutions for which, the participation of people in the election process was a must.