Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti urge EC against postponing Anantnag-Rajouri poll

Srinagar: Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, leaders of the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) respectively, have appealed to the Election Commission (EC) not to postpone the elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.

This comes after some parties and candidates requested rescheduling due to adverse weather conditions, including snowfall on the Mughal road.

Abdullah expressed his stance during a press conference in Srinagar, emphasizing that not all parties support the demand for postponement. He highlighted the inconsistency among those requesting the delay and questioned the relevance of such requests. "If I write to the EC about constituencies in Tamil Nadu etc., will they take notice?" he asked.

Similarly, Mehbooba Mufti, while addressing reporters in the Surankote area of Poonch district, criticized the move to postpone the elections, attributing it to a conspiracy against her candidacy. She voiced her suspicion that certain parties aimed to hinder her participation in Parliament. Despite acknowledging recent snowfall on the Mughal road, she asserted that there was no justification for postponing the polls.

Moreover, Mufti evoked memories of alleged electoral rigging in the 1987 assembly elections, warning against repeating such actions. She urged the EC to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and avoid actions that could further erode public trust in democracy. "You are trying to repeat 1987 which caused bloodshed and turned the valley into a graveyard," she cautioned.

Both leaders accused rival parties, particularly the BJP, of attempting to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage. Mufti criticized the BJP for allegedly leveraging its financial resources and logistical support to influence the elections.

Responding to concerns over potential poll postponement, Union Minister Jitendra Singh affirmed the BJP's commitment to abide by the EC's decision. He reiterated the party's stance on respecting the independence of the electoral institution.

The Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency, slated for polling in the third phase on May 7, remains a focal point of contention.

Mehbooba Mufti faces stiff competition from Mian Altaf of the National Conference, among others.

Despite the ongoing debate surrounding the election schedule, stakeholders await the EC's final decision, which will determine the fate of the electoral process in the region.