Owais Gul
Srinagar, Aug 16: National Conference (NC) Vice President and former chief minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, Omar Abdullah on Friday questioned the massive reshuffle in the Police and civil administration ahead of the assembly polls and that the party was already to participate in the polls.
However, Omar has also responded to the query about the shortest poll schedule, saying that it would be for the first time after 87 and 88 that the elections would be conducted in the shortest schedule.
Addressing a news conference, Omar said that the NC was ready to participate in the elections, adding that the preparations by the party had already started in this regard.
“The elections have been announced in three-phases now after a long time and will be conducted in a shortest schedule. Probably after 87/88, it has been for the first time that the polls are being conducted in the shortest poll schedule. Obviously for the political parties, it would be a new experience, but as far as NC is concerned we were already gearing up for the polls,” he said.
However, he said that despite the Election Commission stressing on the free and fair elections and security concerns as well, he wants to request the EC and a letter will be sent to the commission as well about the massive transfer in the last 24 hours. The EC should take note of it, he said, adding that there are apprehensions that such a massive transfer is meant to benefit the ruling BJP and its A and B teams.
He also said that massive changes have been made in the last 24 hours in the shape of transfers; even the DGP has been changed, which has never been witnessed in the past. “We were expecting the existing DG to be given extension, but we have apprehensions over the massive transfers ahead of the polls. Who visits the offices on August 15, but here on this day, the Civil Secretariat and Police Headquarters were opened. They knew that the elections were to be announced and these transfers are aimed to benefit the BJP and its allies. Instead of a level field, we are being provided the unbalanced field,” he said.
“The transfers should be examined as it is against the guidelines and must be stopped,” he said.
Besides, Omar said that the withdrawal and curtailment of security from the political leaders should be looked into.
Omar also stated that the decision about his participation in the polls will be taken after holding deliberations with the party leaders. “I am still in a mood of staying away from the polls, but there is a lot of pressure on me from the party and in the coming days, I will sit with the leaders and will decide about it accordingly. My father is unwell and he has told me that in case you (Omar) will not contest the polls then he will himself participate,” he said.
About the pre-poll alliance, Omar said that the talks have been held with Congress recently. “Some days ago, the Congress leaders from Delhi had come to meet me, but they had not received any instructions from the party high command and thus the dialogue could not be taken forward. If they have a plan, we will be ready to talk to them,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that “two days ago, Dr Farooq also talked to the Congress leaders. We don’t have much time left for the polls and let’s see what happens with regard to the pre-poll alliance.”
Replying to a query, Omar said that if the elections could be held in 1996, 98, 99 and 2002 then the elections in 2024 was quite possible.
