Barring BJP, all political parties against early polls

SRINAGAR: Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti chaired an all-party meeting on Sunday during which the majority of the leaders suggested deferment of panchayat elections due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir. Mufti has assured all the parties that the cabinet would take a decision this week only after considering all the suggestions.

“No body was against elections. But as of now most of us agreed that time is not right to conduct elections. Let government give something to people to build their confidence,” senior legislator of People’s Democratic Front, Hakeem Yaseen told ET.

Panchayat elections were scheduled in June 2016, but the killing of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and subsequent protests derailed all the processes.


The BJP, coalition partner of the PDP, however, said it favoured holding of elections to panchayat and urban local bodies as soon as possible. “Barring some pockets, the situation is overall conducive for the elections,” BJP state president Sat Sharma said.