Ram again calls for putting off polls

Kashmir Committee chairman and MP Ram Jethmalani today asked the Election Commission to reconsider its decision to hold polls in Jammu and K...

Kashmir Committee chairman and MP Ram Jethmalani today asked the Election Commission to reconsider its decision to hold polls in Jammu and Kashmir as the situation in the troubled state is not conducive for the same.

At a news conference, he pointed out that the EC can postpone the polls, though the notification was issued today. ‘‘Just because the EC itself has issued the notification, it does not mean that it cannot postpone the election,’’ he said.

He said the rationale the EC had used to defer election in Gujarat should be applied to J-K as well. ‘‘All political parties, except the National Conference, had asked for postponement,’’ he pointed out.

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Jethmalani also described as ‘‘wholly irresponsible’’ the insinuations being made against Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh’s stand on Gujarat polls and said he was ‘‘pained’’ that PM Vajpayee was not ‘‘doing anything’’ to protect the constitutional authority.

He took exception to the Dy PM’s remarks urging greater participation in J-K poll, he said: ‘‘If you want greater participation, you should give time for all concerned to prepare.’’

Investigators, including a bomb squad, combed the site. (Representational)

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