Jammu & Kashmir – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has strongly advised the Election Commission of India to postpone any decision on implementing a pan India SIR (special intensive revision) of electoral rolls until the Bihar assembly elections are completed. Speaking to reporters in his assembly office chamber in Srinagar on Monday after House proceedings were adjourned, Abdullah raised serious concerns about rushing into such a nationwide exercise.
Concerns About Timing of Pan India SIR
The chief minister’s statement came as officials indicated that the Election Commission was likely to announce a pan India SIR of the voters’ list on Monday evening. Abdullah emphasized that there are already significant apprehensions about the special intensive revision in Bihar, making it crucial to evaluate its impact before implementing it nationwide.
“There are already apprehensions about SIR in Bihar. It is not clear yet whether there will be any benefits of this exercise for those undertaking it. Let the elections in Bihar be completed, then we will see whether it was beneficial at all. Then we can talk about implementing it in the rest of the country,” Abdullah stated, highlighting the need for a measured approach to pan India SIR implementation.
Warning Against Rushed Implementation of Pan India SIR
Abdullah explicitly advised the poll body not to “rush into a nationwide SIR,” expressing concerns that hasty implementation could damage the Election Commission’s credibility and independence. His caution about the pan India SIR reflects broader anxieties about electoral processes and their potential political implications.
“Otherwise, it will seem as if the ECI has lost its independence and is working under pressure from a particular political party. We have seen this before as well,” the chief minister warned, drawing parallels with past electoral exercises that he believes favored specific political interests.
Delimitation Precedent Cited Against Pan India SIR
To support his argument against rushing the pan India SIR, Abdullah referenced the delimitation exercise conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, which he characterized as politically motivated rather than being in the public interest.
“Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir was not done for the benefit of the people but for a political party. The way new seats were divided and new seats created; it directly benefited only one political party. The EC should not make this kind of mistake,” Abdullah said, suggesting that the pan India SIR could follow a similar problematic pattern if not carefully considered.
Clarification on BJP Relations and Rajya Sabha Polls
Beyond the pan India SIR issue, Abdullah addressed speculation about his party’s relationship with the Bharatiya Janata Party, particularly regarding the recent Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir where the National Conference won three seats and BJP secured one.
Abdullah firmly dismissed suggestions of any understanding between the NC and BJP for the four Rajya Sabha seats. “There was no understanding with the BJP on RS polls. Please understand that the National Conference is the only party in Jammu and Kashmir which takes the BJP head-on. Nobody else is doing that,” he asserted.
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Transparency in Political Alliances
The chief minister emphasized that his party operates with complete transparency in political dealings. “We are not those who enter into secret pacts. If we had to do it, we would have done it openly. I did not support the Vajpayee government behind closed doors; I joined the NDA. Whether it was right or wrong, is another issue,” Abdullah explained.
He made a clear distinction between governmental relations and party relations, stating that while he wants cordial relations between his government and the Centre for effective governance, “there is no relation between the NC and the BJP, and it will not form in future also.”
Response to Match-Fixing Allegations
Addressing Handwara MLA Sajjad Lone’s accusation that the Rajya Sabha polls were a “fixed match,” Abdullah questioned why someone would comment on an election they refused to participate in. “Let him first say what was his compulsion to help the BJP. If he did not want match fixing to take place, he should have used his vote,” the chief minister countered.
Abdullah revealed that four votes went in favor of the BJP while three were deliberately destroyed. “The difficulty started with the Handwara MLA sitting out. The BJP needed only 29 after that, and they had 28. One or two would have been easy for them, but I didn’t think they would get four,” he said.
Call for Accountability
The NC leader expressed his desire for the names of MLAs who cross-voted or deliberately wasted their votes to be made public. “Now those four who sold their conscience will have to answer to Allah or Bhagwan,” Abdullah said, emphasizing moral accountability.
“Clearly, the BJP attempted to lure people. On what basis they were lured, only the BJP can answer,” he added, suggesting that inducements may have influenced the voting outcome.
Media’s Role in Election Narrative
Abdullah also questioned the media’s apparent surprise at the Rajya Sabha poll results. “You had declared the outcome much before the voting began. Were you also part of the match-fixing? We still fought it out,” he remarked, challenging journalists’ pre-election coverage.
The chief minister’s comprehensive statement on the pan India SIR issue, combined with his clarifications on Rajya Sabha polls and party relations, underscores his commitment to electoral transparency and institutional independence. His call to delay the pan India SIR until Bihar elections conclude reflects pragmatic political wisdom and concern for democratic processes.
