Omar Abdullah warns EC against rescheduling Lok Sabha Polls in Anantnag-Rajouri seat

National Conference Vice-President and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, issued a warning to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday, urging them to refrain from any potential rescheduling of Lok Sabha polls in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat. Abdullah emphasized the importance of considering the perspectives of all political parties involved in the electoral process.

Addressing a press conference, Abdullah expressed concerns over purported discussions indicating a conspiracy by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its allied parties, and the administration to push for a postponement of polls in the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency, citing poor road conditions on the Mughal road as a pretext.
“I appeal to the Election Commission of India and caution the poll body against such actions, as they could detrimentally impact the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir and should therefore be avoided,” Abdullah asserted.

Referring to a letter released by the ECI, Abdullah found it surprising and questioned the motives behind it. He pointed out that certain parties, including the BJP and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC), are not contesting elections in the region, raising doubts about the intentions behind their advocacy for rescheduling. Addressing the hypothetical scenario of requesting a similar rescheduling in other states, Abdullah questioned whether his opinions would be considered by the ECI, highlighting the need for fairness and equal treatment in electoral matters.

Asserting the importance of accommodating the concerns of all political parties, Abdullah warned that failure to do so could lead to the perception of a deliberate conspiracy to defer the polls. He announced plans to formally address these concerns by submitting a letter to the ECI on behalf of his party. The stance taken by Omar Abdullah underscores the ongoing political tensions surrounding the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, signaling the need for transparent and inclusive decision-making by electoral authorities.