LS by-elections in valley a major test for coalition Govt.
Jammu, March 8 (KIP):-Lok Sabha elections in the two constituencies of
Srinagar and Anantnag coupled with ensuing Panchayat elections will be
the first major test for the PDP-BJP coalition Government. In fact the
results from these Lok Sabha constituencies and that from the
Panchayat committees will determine whether people support the
coalition Government or are fed up with its policies which have cast
an adverse shadow on development projects.
Already people in the t wop regions of Kashmir and Jammu have f
aced ordeals owing to energy crisis which had resulted in prolonged
shutdowns. And it is to be seen whether this anger of people will be
reflected in the voting pattern or people expect better time ahead as
Chief Minister,Mehbooba Mufti,has assured the youth of the state that
if they allow her a breathing time in the shape of generating peace
she would see that the Kashmir issue was resolved and may be that she
may following the former Prime Minister,Atal Behari Vajpayee's policy
towards Kashmir.
And the very poor show by the BJP and the PDP will encourage
the opposition to demand the resignation of the coalition Government.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has decided to hold the Panchayat polls
in 8 phases before April 15 and Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been
asked to make preparations for holding the elections.
In CEO's meeting with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) which was held
the other day, it was decided that the polls will be held in 8 phases.
A notification for the elections is likely to be issued after the
revision of electoral rolls is finalized. CEO, Shant Manu, said the
elections will be held in 8 phases and the process has already been
started.
“We are putting up the electoral rolls for scrutiny on March 11 and
the publication will be completed before last week of March. We will
be inviting objections from voters following which the dates for the
elections could be announced any time,” he said.
The government has sought that the Panchayat elections should be held
ahead of the parliamentary by polls for two constituencies of Anantnag
and Srinagar. However the political parties including NC and Congress
have criticized the PDP-BJP government for deferring the parliamentary
elections contending that the PDP was fearing defeat on both the seats
due to which it was seeking holding of Panchayat polls first.
Congress has said the Panchayat elections required more elaborate
security arrangements because of large number of candidates, who would
be in the fray.
Nearly 35,000 panch constituencies have been created after a recent
delimitation exercises, even as Congress alleged that the new
Panchayats were carved out to help the ruling PDP-BJP alliance corner
more seats..(KIP)'
