Srinagar:

The National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Congress, and Ghulam Nabi Azad’s Democratic Progressive Azad Party have called for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under President’s Rule and has not had a state poll for six years now.

This comes amid reports the Election Commission of India – a poll panel team began its two-day visit Monday to review prep work before announcing dates – is considering such a move.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and that of Ladakh, will hold a general election for its six Lok Sabha seats in April/May and is expected to hold Assembly polls – the first step in restoration of statehood – by September 30, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

READ | In Historic J&K Ruling, Supreme Court Sets Election Deadline

Senior NC leader Nasir Sogami and former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad – part of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ commission set up by the government to explore that possibility – have spoken out, with the latter claiming “people are more concerned about Assembly polls”.

“I am in favour of simultaneous elections in J&K .I want elections by midnight. The people of J&K are more concerned about assembly elections than parliament elections,” Mr Azad said.

Mr Azad is likely to contest the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat, which is currently held by Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference. The seat has traditionally flipped between the Peoples Democratic Party of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the NC.

“I’m not ruling out contesting from Anantnag-Rajouri parliament constituency. Lots of people are asking me to contest. Demand of my being in Parliament is more,” he told NDTV.

Mr Sogami – who spoke to NDTV after the NC met a team from the Election Commission of India – said the NC had also demanded simultaneous elections in the union territory.

“This (simultaneous polls) is also in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of ‘One Nation, One Election’,” he said, adding the NC had also said state polls are long overdue.

The National Conference also demanded a level playing field for both polls.

On Monday the poll panel team, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, met representatives from political parties. The ECI has already met Union Home Ministry officials.

The centre has already sanctioned the deployment of 600 paramilitary companies to ensure the safe conduct of elections in J&K; this is in addition to sizeable existing security set-ups.

A BJP delegation also met the poll panel team, and said the party is ready for Assembly polls. However, the party left announcement of dates to the discretion of the Election Commission.

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Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) president Ghulam Nabi Azad addresses the public rally in Anantnag. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad on March 9 said Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir should be held soon after the Lok Sabha election as the people of the Union Territory cannot wait anymore. He also said Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be restored.

Also read: Altering status quo: On Jammu and Kashmir and Statehood 

“We have been waiting for the Assembly polls for years. We hope that the polls take place immediately after the parliamentary election. I think the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot wait anymore now,” Mr. Azad told reporters after a public meeting in the Chittergul area of this south Kashmir district.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, however, described the upcoming visit of Election Commission (EC) officials to the region as “routine”. “It is the job of the EC to visit States. This is not something new that they are visiting here. The EC starts preparing for elections months before in a State. This is routine,” he said.

The former Union Minister said Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would be restored.

He took a dig at National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah over the latter’s remarks on Mr. Azad targeting his father, NC president Farooq Abdullah. Mr. Azad had recently said NC leaders meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi after dark. “I do not know under what influence did Ghulam Nabi Azad target Farooq Abdullah,” Omar Abdullah told a press conference in Srinagar on March 8.

Mr. Azad said those who go on vacations for months together should not question him. “I am in my senses 24 hours a day. Only those people do not remain in their senses who have time to take holidays. I do not go on vacations. I do not have time to take a holiday. For the first time in 18 months, I went to Gulmarg for half a day because a meeting was cancelled. Those leaders, who are on vacation for months together, what can they say?” he asked.

Asked about the split in the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the former Congress leader said it was the concern of the constituent parties and “I have nothing to say about that”. To a question on whether the split in the PAGD would benefit political parties like the BJP, Azad said people are clever and they understand which party or candidate to vote for. “So it remains to be seen who will benefit or not benefit from it,” he added.

Asked whether he would contest the Lok Sabha elections, likely to be held in April-May, from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, Azad said he has not decided yet.