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NC has not agreed for governor's rule
in J&K: Abdullah

The Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday said that his party, the National Conference, had not agreed for the imposition of governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir before the assembly elections in October.

Abdullah, while addressing a public meeting in downtown Srinagar, said, "Imposition of governor's rule would amount to running roughshod on the Constitution and democratic precedents of the country."

Various political parties in the state had demanded the imposition of governor's rule on the grounds that free and fair polls won't take place under the governance of the National Conference.

Abdullah said, "We welcome appointment of independent observers, introduction of electronic voting machines and any other reform to ensure a free and fair election, but we will not be a party to anything that runs counter to constitutional provisions and democratic norms."

The National Conference president, while criticising the tendency to call for the imposition of governor's rule, said, "It does not enhance the credibility of Indian democracy and could raise uncomfortable questions about the entire system and the rule of law in the state."

"Even some signboard parties who have hardly existence in the state have joined the chorus for this demand."

The minister made it clear that the "only scenario in which governor's rule could be imposed was for recommendation to that effect by the state government".

"[The] 1996 polls were held under president's rule. How could NC have rigged those polls to sweep the elections and gain an unprecedented majority," he asked.

He said people of the state had "certain grouses against the central government, but we will agitate these only through constitutional and democratic means".

"Gun culture and violence have no role in our struggle and would not lead us anywhere," he said, adding that that even the "champions of violence were now trying to return to the mainstream through electoral exercise".

The National Conference, Abdullah said, had right from its inception championed for the restoration of democratic and constitutional rights of the people of the state.

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the National Conference, Sheikh Nazir, rejected the opposition's demand for the postponement of the elections in J&K.

"Why didn't these parties place this demand before the Election Commission of India during the all-party meetings convened by the commission during the last couple of months," he asked.

Speaking to rediff.com from his residence in Srinagar, he dismissed allegations of dead persons figuring in the electoral rolls.

"The rolls have been carefully prepared under the supervision of the ECI. The opposition parties can say anything to get the elections postponed," he said.

With additional reporting from Onkar Singh in New Delhi

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