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Jethmalani wants J&K polls postponed

New Delhi Aug. 7. The Kashmir Committee headed by the former Union Law Minister, Ram Jethmalani, today demanded postponement of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir saying the killing of Amarnath pilgrims showed that the conditions in the State were not ``ripe'' for holding free and fair polls.

It also demanded that for holding free and fair elections. It was essential that Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, should resign and pave the way for the imposition of President's rule.

While condemning the militant attack on pilgrims as ``inhuman and beastly'', Mr. Jethmalani told reporters that ``this itself should persuade the Election Commission that conditions have not become absolutely right for holding of elections.''

``If the EC on its own postpones the elections, it will meet a major objection of many elements whose participation would be vital for the future of the State,'' he said emerging from a meeting attended by Times of India editor, Dilip Padgaonkar, former diplomat V. K. Grover and others members.

Mr. Padgaonkar said he had been contacted through e-mail by Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, Ammanullah Khan, based in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, for a meeting between him and the Committee.

The Committee said it would wait for a formal intimation from the JKLF chairman and would then fix the place and time for the meeting.

Referring to his meeting with the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. Jethmalani said ``I impressed upon the PM that the dialogue process should have been started earlier. As it was not done, it should start now.''

Regarding the Committee's view for Governor's rule in the State during the elections process, the former Law Minister said the Committee would appeal to Dr.Farooq Abdullah and if necessary, would meet him to impress that by doing so he would do a great service to the nation.

``If he sacrifices the post ... it will help improve his credibility in the process of holding free and fair elections,'' Mr. Jethmalani said.

He said the Committee has sought a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani.

Referring to a move by the Committee to invite Hurriyat leaders for a meeting, Mr. Jethmalani said the Commitee members would be going to the State as Hurriyat Conference chairman, Abdul Gani Bhat, was not keeping well.

When told that many Hurriayat leaders were in jail and were not in a position to participate in the polls, he said it was my personal view that at least Yasin Malik should be released as he was critically ill. ``He is critically ill and may die any time. And if he dies the problem would get aggravated,'' he said. — PTI

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• Jethmalani wants J&K polls postponed
• Security tightened for Amarnath pilgrims
• Kashmiri Pandits threaten to boycott polls
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