Srinagar : Terming the exclusion of J&K from other four states going to polls alongside Parliament elections “disappointing”, Former Law minister of erstwhile J&K State, Syed Basharat Bukhari Saturday said , that Government has finally acknowledged that Situation in J&K was not all well. He said this acknowledgement was in contrast to what the BJP had been making “rhetoric” of, post 370 abrogation.
Reacting sharply to ECI’s decision of not holding Assembly and parliamentary elections simultaneously in J&K , Mr. Bukhari in a press statement said, that, it was surprising to know that the situation for one “EVM is conducive and is adverse for another EVM” which,according to him- could have given the people of J&K the right to choose their own government in the erstwhile state. He however, said that one silver lining amidst all the disappointment was that , “J&K Adminstration which comes directly under the control of the union government by virtue of UT status, has finally conceded to the fact that Situation here is not as good as the Union Government seems to be claiming like.”
He also questioned the logic given by CEC that – the process of Reorganization and delimitation was complete only in Dec last year after Parliament passed the reorganization amendment act – and asked, ” Wasn’t even the three month period enough for them to hold polls which have not been held from last one decade. ” He said, this day has yet again brought disappointment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who once again feel isolated and alienated. He added, that this day could be a “Festival of Democracy” for the rest of the country but surely not for the people of J&K who have been again denied the right to exercise their franchise” and that too when Prime Minister himself held – what BJP claimed a mega rally – .
The former Law minister regretted that the rally, which should have been an eye opener for BJP, has ended in disappointment to those who wanted the democratic process to not only be restored but also pick momentum and pace.
Basharat Bukhari hoped that the home minister would rebut what J&K Admin has – what CEC said- conveyed to the Election commission during its visit to J&K earlier this week.
