NEW DELHI: The government on Monday said any decision with regard to holding Assembly polls in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir will be taken by the Election Commission (EC) as it is the ultimate authority in that regard.
STATE TIMES has already reported about the deferment of elections in its story ‘Stage set for postponing Assembly elections in JK’, appearing today.
“We should not connect the natural disaster and tragedy with either elections or politics. The Election Commission will take a decision and they are the ultimate decision makers in that regard,” Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said when asked if the flood disaster would have any bearing on the forthcoming polls.
The state is slated to go to polls later this year.
“I cannot comment anything as of now and the situation has to be assessed and only after that a final decision can be taken. The Election Commission will decide on this subject,” he said.
On the State of security forces and their infrastructure in the State in the wake of the floods, Singh said no border post of the Army, BSF or other forces has been washed away due to the floods.
“There is no such information like that received from there. Every army personnel in the border is safe. Infact, our army and paramilitary forces are trying to save people and I compliment the army, paramilitary forces and the NDRF for the exceptional work they are doing,” he said.
On the issue of government formation in Delhi, the Home Minister said the President, as of now, has not sought for his advice on it.
“This issue is the domain of the Lt Governor (of Delhi) and he should be asked about it. The entire role in this issue is that of the Lt Governor. The President has not sought our advice,” he told reporters.
