Ex-J&K CMs slam poll deferment proposal in Anantnag-Rajouri constituency 

Srinagar, Apr 26: A day after the Election Commission of India (ECI) sought reports from Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officer Jammu & Kashmir, the former chief ministers of erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state have criticised the possible deferment of elections in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency.
Addressing the press conference separately, National; Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party (DP) Chief, Mehbooba Mufti expressed resentment over the move.

Pertinently, several political parties had written to the ECI, seeking deferment of elections in Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency citing adverse road conditions and inclement weather.
The representations, signed by prominent political figures including Ravinder Raina, BJP President J&K-UT; Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, J&K Apni Party; Imran Reza Ansari, J&K Peoples’ Conference; and Adv. Mohammad Saleem Paray and Ali Mohammad Wani (candidates), along with Arsheed Ali Lone (candidate), underscored the urgent need for rescheduling due to logistical challenges and weather-related constraints. Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency is scheduled to go to polls on May 7, this year.
Omar while addressing the media persons stated the 2017 elections, the assembly elections were delayed when the BJP candidate was about to lose. “In the past few days, we have been hearing that the polls will be delayed due to the bad road connectivity. National Conference (NC) wants to warn the ECI not to defer the polls,” he said.
Most of the parties, who have not fielded their candidates, are seeking the deferment of polls. “If they don’t have their candidates, the ECI should not take notice of the letter,” he said.
Mehbooba Mufti however, echoed the similar views and stated that there are no solid reasons for deferring the elections of the particular constituency.
“We have been witnessing landslides and other related issues along the route throughout the year, therefore the reasons mentioned for deferring the polls are invalid and thus the deferment of the elections should not take place,” she said.
Furthermore, she stated that it seems a ploy to keep her away from the parliament.