Omar puts onus on Modi to hold polls, says some at high positions engineering delay

Srinagar: Alleging that vested interests, including some occupying positions of authority in J&K, are trying to engineer a delay in Assembly elections, National Conference (NC) vice-president Omar Abdullah urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commit his government to holding polls in the state.

‘Your government’s handling of J&K will be judged by whether Assembly elections are on time or not sir,’ Mr Abdullah, who is the former chief minister of the state, said.

Mr Abdullah was responding to PM Modi’s comment that the high voter turnout in the polls clearly displays immense faith that people of J&K have put in grassroot democratic institutions of the country. “Essence of democracy lies in empowerment of the common citizen, to which our government is totally committed,” the Prime Minister tweeted on his interaction with 48 newly-elected Sarpanches of Panchayats from the state who called on him in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Taking to micro-blogging site twitter to respond to the PM, Mr Abdullah said, “Sir, please also commit your government to Assembly elections in J&K. Vested interests, including some occupying positions of authority in J&K, are trying to engineer a delay. Your government’s handling of J&K will be judged by whether Assembly elections are on time or not sir.”

The NC vice-president said six months from the date of dissolution means a return to elected government before the end of May 2019. “We look forward to your personal commitment to keeping to that schedule jenab PM sahib,” he tweeted.

President’s Rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the ninth time, as the Governor’s Rule comes to an end on Wednesday midnight. Governor’s rule was imposed earlier this year in the state after Mehbooba-led coalition government collapsed following withdrawal of support by BJP.

The longest period for which President’s rule was imposed was for six years between 1990 and 1996, when there was a complete breakdown of law and order.

The first time President’s Rule was imposed in the state was in March 26, 1977. It lasted for 105 days after the Sheikh Abdullah-led National Conference stepped down, following the Congress’ decision to withdraw support.