While most political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the EC decision on election, the ruling National Conference (NC) has expressed concern.
The NC had sought the postponement of the election, saying the government wanted to focus on rehabilitation and reconstruction after the devastating floods.
After the announcement, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted that the curtain was down on his first term as Chief Minister and it was up to the people to judge his work.
PTI reports
“Now that the Election Commission of India has in its wisdom announced the schedule for the elections in the State, the National Conference will internally discuss and decide the further course of action,” party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said.
Mr. Sagar said his party opposed the elections at this point of time because “we felt that this is not the opportune time as the people are battling the aftermath of the flood tragedy that has befallen the State.
The reaction comes after the Election Commission on Saturday announced the date for Assembly polls in the State. The five-phased election will be held between November 25, 2014 and December 20, 2014.
“This was the time to focus on relief and rehabilitation rather than go for polls. The preference of the NC has always been and will continue to be with the people of the state, their welfare and their well-being,” he said.
The NC leader said the choice was between people of the State and their sufferings on one side, and politics and elections on the other side.
“Since democracy is for the welfare of the people it was imperative to go by the will of the people. However, unfortunately the NC was in a minority on the issue with political parties like Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others giving preference to their craving for power than to the people,” he said.
Mr. Sagar said the party was confident that the people would reject these “anti-people” forces at the hustings. “PDP has always been hungry for power and in its quest for power has always indulged in petty machinations to grab power through dubious means which have been more often than not anti-democratic and anti-people.
“However this time they crossed all limits by turning a blind eye towards the miseries of the people of the State in their blatant and shameless endeavour to build their dream castle of power,” he alleged.
