‘Fixed match’: Omar Abdullah on delay in J&K polls

"There is a strange fixed match being played. When you ask the government, they say the decision is to be taken by the EC. When you talk to the EC, it says they have to consult the Centre to make a decision.”

Vice-President of National Conference Omar Abdullah

Blaming a “fixed match” between the Election Commission of India and the BJP-run central government for the delay in Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, former Chief Minister and Vice-President of National Conference Omar Abdullah said that “people are facing the consequences”.

Addressing the media in South Kashmir’s Pulwama on Wednesday, he said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have a right to use their vote. Since 2014, we have been continuously deprived of it… There is a strange fixed match being played. When you ask the government, they say the decision is to be taken by the EC. When you talk to the EC, it says they have to consult the Centre to make a decision.”

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

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