Barring the PDP, almost all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir want the elections in the state to be conducted as soon as possible.
NEW DELHI: Barring the PDP, almost all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir want the elections in the state, which witnessed large-scale violence over the Amarnath land row issue, to be conducted as soon as possible.
Ahead of its meeting with the Election Commission here Monday, the regional party - National Conference - BJP and Congress say they want early elections in the state, while the estranged ally of UPA, PDP, wants the polls to be deferred.
The small parties including Bhim Singh-led Panthers' Party, CPI-M and other regional parties with minimal presence want the elections to be held as soon as possible.
The polls in the border state are due later this year.
The National Conference delegation will be led by its President Omar Abdullah and comprise of Abdul Rahim Rather, Ajay Sadotra and Mehboob Beigh.
Ahead of the meeting, a National Conference spokesperson said elections should be held in the state as soon as possible so that the sufferings of the people at grassroot were redressed.
The spokesperson said the Centre should not delay holding of elections as this would send a wrong signal not only to the people of Kashmir but also to those having faith in the democracy of the country.
PDP delegation, which comprises its General Secretary Nizzamuddin Bhat, Abdul Rehman Veeri and Rajya Sabha MP Trilok Singh Bajwa, will however, pitch in for postponing of elections.
"This is not an appropriate time for holding elections in the state because the drama of recent agitation is still fresh and there is a deep alienation. People have been drifted away from the system.
"The objective of any elections is the ultimate public interest and gauging their aspiration. When people are annoyed, elections for what and whom," asked Bhat.
"We propose that a legitimate political activity that adequately addresses the sensitivities of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir should precede the elections. Only then these polls can become credible and meaningful," Bhat said.
However, National Conference feels that the delaying tactics of the PDP stemmed much out of the fear of facing the electorate who have been chasing the party leadership for "betrayal".
The BJP also favoured holding the Assembly elections on time, saying any delay would be construed as succumbing to separatists.
"The elections should be held on time in Jammu and Kashmir. There should be no delay in the elections," party general secretary Arun Jaitley said.
He said the BJP would convey its stand on the issue at Monday's meeting of the Commission in New Delhi.
"Holding the elections on time can be better for Kashmir. Any delay would be construed as succumbing to separatists," Jaitley said accusing the Congress of attempting to put off polls not only in J&K but also in the entire country.
He said the state was fast returning towards normalcy after the recent agitation.
While Jammu is already peaceful, "Kashmir is also coming back to track", Jaitley said during a one-day convention of the BJP leadership here.
The Election Commission has called a meeting with political parties Monday to assess the political situation in J&K.
The commission met last Tuesday and decided that since Governor's rule in the state ends on January 10, it would be advisable to find out what political parties think about holding elections on time as well as keenness of the government.
After talking to political parties, EC will meet the Home Secretary.
Sources said the EC will meet each political party separately. The meetings will assess the situation in the state where the assembly was dissolved on July 10 and governor's rule imposed following political crisis in the wake of the Amarnath land row.
However, within the EC, there is a feeling that elections be either held by November or it would be impossible once winter sets in.
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