Row over deferment of Ant-Raj poll date: BJP’s assertion ‘dubious’….!

Concern of parties over ‘redefiningsegments’ have come true…?

Jammu: Amid row over postponing of poll on Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency, apprehensions expressed by many political parties earlier over redefining of its segments under Delimitation exercise on seem to have come true. Political factors aside, these parties had showed concern on similar premise of weather and accessibility –which EC is faced with at present.
In the game of political one upmanship, it is a scenario of NC-PDP combine versus rest of political parties in which the latter are seeking deferment of poll date which is scheduled for May 7, while both NC and PDP are vehemently opposing any such move. Ironically, the deferment move was initiated and hugely endorsed in support of all others by the BJP which has not put up any candidate on this seat.
While BJP overtly is denying alliance with any party, the party is interestingly coming in support of even those which are lesser known parties, in addition to Apni Party and DPAP with whom it is believed to be having ‘camouflaged’ understanding-a strategy to scuttle prospects of both NC and PDP candidates. Whereas the fact remains that on this constituency it is contest between NC and PDP, no matter quite a number of independents are in fray.
Assertion of BJP over deferment is making the whole issue fishy in the eyes of NC and PDP which have approached ECI contending ‘it is a conspiracy hatched by BJP and other parties to derail momentum of their campaign’. That may be a political argument and a matter of bickering between parties but both NC and PDP have a point in more than just one argument.
While it is no secret and a matter of common knowledge that Mughal Road remains officially closed till mid May every year, was EC and LG administration not aware of this fact when the poll dates were decided…? More importantly, was the government ill informed or ignorant of this geographical mismatch while redefining areas and segments for this constituency when delimitation exercise was conducted ...?
There is a point in the argument that some segments of Kathua-Udhampur Parliamentary constituency were seen placed in similar geographic and climatic conditions, perhaps much worse weather and roads than those in Rajouri-Poonch, elections were held without hesitancy from any quarter. Moreover, ECI has the distinction of having carried out logistically unhindered elections even in harsh winters , so why it looks upset by vagaries of weather which are partially affecting connectivity of Mughal Road, contend PDP and NC.
The LG administration and CEO have submitted their report based out of feedback of all parties to EC and it remains to be seen what will be the outcome of this report.

Updated On 4/29/2024 2:45:18 AM