SRINAGAR: The Election Commission’s decision to defer bypolls for Anantnag-Pulwama Lok Sabha seat in South Kashmir has caused more headache for the PDP-BP coalition government, which is already facing heat from the opposition parties.
Citing security reasons, the ECI on late Monday evening postponed the bypolls for Anantnag-Pulwama Lok Sabha seat scheduled to be held on April 12. Now the election for the seat would be held on May 25.
The ECI deferred the bypolls after ruling PDP candidate from the seat and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s brother Tassaduq Mufti in a press conference yesterday sought deferment of polls following unprecedented poll boycott and poll violence in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Sunday.
The Srinagar Lok Sabha seat recorded only 7.14 per cent voter turnout, lowest in last 28 years, and 8 civilians were killed in security forces firing in Central Kashmir and over 200 including 100 security men injured during clashes on the poll day.
While calling for deferment of polls, Tassaduq said the situation was not conducive for polls in the Valley.
Surprisingly, the bypolls were conducted by EC only after the State government expressed its willingness to hold the elections.
“We did not receive any report from the State government that situation was not conducive for elections and bypolls for Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary seats should be deferred,” J&K’s Chief Electoral Officer Shantmanu told New Indian Express.
He said the Model of Conduct will remain in force in South Kashmir comprising four districts of Shopian, Anantnag, Pulwama and Kulgam till May 25.
Asked whether additional 200 paramilitary companies brought to Valley for poll duties will remain here or sent back, CEO said, “For the time being they will remain here.”
Adding to woes of the PDP-BJP government, State Congress chief, G A Mir, who is also joint candidate of NC and Congress for Anantnag bypolls, told reporters in Anantnag today that he won’t won’t contest elections unless Mehbooba resigns as CM of the State and Governor’s rule is imposed in the State.
“The appeal to postpone bypolls was made by PDP candidate and not the government. Election Commission should have taken views of other contesting candidates before deciding about deferring of polls,” Mir said adding if the situation was not conducive for bypolls after Sunday, how was it conducive a month earlier.
Opposition NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar addressed a press conference in Srinagar during which he alleged that ECI was biased. “Postponing of bypolls following request of CM’s brother clearly indicated that the ECI is hand-in-glove with the government.”
He said NC demands a judicial probe into the death of eight civilians during polling in Srinagar Lok Sabha bypolls.
“We also demand Mehbooba should step down as CM for failing to provide a secure environment to people of the State,” added Sagar.
Ruling PDP chief spokesman Mehboob Beg said it is for the Election Commission to decide whether situation in Valley is conducive for holding of polling.
“We think the situation is not conducive and poll violence in Srinagar Lok Sabha has confirmed it,” he said adding, “The government had suggested to EC after yesterday’s All Party Meeting in Srinagar to either hold the bypolls for Anantnag seat on scheduled date on April 12 or postpone it indefinitely.”
He said the ECI’s decision to defer polls by one month will not end the uncertainty.
The PDP spokesman said now model code of conduct will remain in force for a longer period in South Kashmir and it would affect developmental works in the region.
“What will happen to additional security force companies brought to Valley for poll duties? Will they be retained in Valley or sent back,” he said.
On opposition parties NC and Congress charge that the government got the polls deferred because it feared rout in polls, Beg said, “It is irony that the both parties wanted to go ahead with polls despite seeing large scale poll violence in Srinagar bypolls”.
“The South Kashmir was the worst affected by last year’s unrest and if polls would have been conducted on scheduled date, then there would have been more violence there then witnessed in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Sunday during which eight people were killed,” he said.