Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that the arrangement was aimed at undermining the people’s mandate in the Union Territory.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Abdullah questioned the delimitation exercise that added seven Assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that the BJP won six of the newly created seats. He cited the outcome while reiterating his concerns over the purpose of the exercise and the impartiality of the poll body.
The Chief Minister alleged that the results reinforced concerns previously raised by his party regarding the delimitation process and its implications for electoral representation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah made the remarks after joining a delegation of INDIA bloc leaders that met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan to raise concerns over the functioning of the Election Commission.
The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged electoral irregularities. It also called for the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded broader reforms to the electoral system.
Earlier, opposition MPs attempted to march from Parliament towards the Election Commission but were stopped by police at Vijay Chowk. Several leaders staged a sit-in before the delegation proceeded to Rashtrapati Bhavan to present its demands.
The Election Commission has maintained that its decisions are taken in accordance with established statutory procedures.
Meanwhile, heightened security arrangements were reported in Delhi ahead of a proposed large-scale protest at Jantar Mantar involving the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition groups. The protesters were demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.
