Centre , J&K administration making mockery of democracy: JKNPP

JAMMU: The JKNPP on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the delay in holding assembly elections in the state and accused the Centre and the state administration of making a mockery of democracy by denying the people their right to choose a government.

A meeting of the Election Commission to decide the possible dates to hold assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir remained inconclusive on Tuesday even as the poll panel decided to approach legal experts on the issue of President's rule in the state.

The 'full commission', comprising Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and fellow commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra, met in New Delhi to discuss the stand of Jammu and Kashmir administration which wants the election to be held sometime in November.

The state administration had approached the EC last week, saying it is not in favour of holding assembly polls in the near future in view of the ongoing tourist season and the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra in the Valley, which will begin on July 1.

"With no decision taken with regard to holding of assembly elections in the state even in fifth consecutive meeting of the EC, the Government of India and state administration had made the most contemptuous mockery of democracy in the state," JKNPP Chairman and former minister

Harsh Dev Singh

told reporters here.