The Congress and the BJP have started a new battle on the dates of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly election. Both the parties approached the Election Commission (EC) on Monday demanding its intervention on the issue.
The EC had last week announced November 14 and December 19 as the dates for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. The Congress on Monday demanded a postponement of the polls even as the BJP insisted that they be conducted as per dates announced by the Commission.
A Congress delegation led by Himachal chief minister Virbhadra Singh and senior leader RK Dhawan asked the poll panel to change the dates citing that the winter will be at its peak during December in the state. The party also pointed that the term of the state assembly ends only in March and formation of another Assembly before it would be a violation of the principles of the Constitution.
?The winter will be at its peak during November and December. It would be tough to hold elections during that time especially at Kinnaur, Bharmour and Lahaul. Also, the term of the present Assembly is till March next year. This raises a peculiar situation that there will be two Assemblies at a time. We have brought this out to the notice of the Commission,? Dhawan said.
The BJP?s delegation, led by former Union minister Muqtar Abbaz Naqvi and former Gujarat chief ministers Shanta Kumar and Prem Kumar Dhumal also had a meeting with the Election Commission. ?Various Congress leaders including the chief minister have used objectionable language against the EC. …the Congress leaders are trying their best to get the election dates postponed. Perhaps they have realised that they are going to lose the election and therefore why not to delay the doom?s day as much as they can,? Naqvi said in a statement.
