The Hindu : Don't let outsiders abuse religion, Lyngdoh tells Himachal voters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003

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Don't let outsiders abuse religion, Lyngdoh tells Himachal voters

By Kanwar Yogendra

SHIMLA JAN. 8. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, who was here on a two-day visit to supervise the preparations for the coming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh, said today that the code of conduct would be imposed shortly and the elections could be held in February.

Asked about the possible postponement of the elections to March and simultaneous polls in the snow-bound areas of Kinnaur and Lahul-Spiti, the results of which are always decisive in the case of a hung Assembly, he said, "No one is sure of the weather gods even in March and therefore, the elections for the three tribal seats will be conducted in June."

On possible attempts at communal polarisation of the State by some extreme right-wing organisations, he said, "It depends on the people, who should not let them come into the peaceful State of Himachal".

In his message to the people of the State, whom he called very decent and orderly, Mr. Lyngdoh said, "The Himachalis should not allow the people to come from outside and abuse religion and other things here".

Peaceful traditions and social decorum should be maintained and "the people of this hill State should continue to be decent ", he added.

He said he met the delegation of all political parties on Tuesday and a majority of them were apprehensive about the new schemes inaugurated by the BJP Government and various projects it was undertaking now, besides promising new ones.

B.B. Tandon, Election Commissioner, who also present, said electronic voting machines would be used this time and alternative documents other than the photo identity cards would be allowed.

On the apprehensions of Opposition parties about the use of Government machinery in the `vishwas yatra' by the Chief Minister, Dhumal, Mr. Lyngdoh said they would be examined after the code of conduct came into force.

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