Srinagar, Feb 6 (GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Saturday raised the issue of defections of elected DDC members with the CEC J&K KK Sharma impressing upon him to examine the issues as it violates the people’s mandate and spirit of democracy.
Party’s Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and MP Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi brought the issue of defections of elected DDC members of Shopian to the notice of Chief Election Commissioner KK Sharma urging him to disqualify such DDC members who have changed their party affiliation after being elected to DDC council from a particular party ticket, manifesto and symbol. They said if the issue wasn’t combated, it is likely to undermine the very foundations of democracy.
While expressing their remonstration against the defections the leaders said the elections were held on party basis and that people voted candidates to power because of a particular election manifesto and symbol. They said such defections undermined the spirit of democracy and violated the people’s mandate so such DDC members who have changed the party affiliations post elections should be disqualified and until proceedings in that direction were initiated such DDC members should be debarred from voting. The State election commissioner assured them that he would examine the matter.
The leaders, in a statement to GNS, also impressed upon the Party’s district functionaries to apprise the concerned authorities about such defections. They said the defections go against the political propriety and the spirit of democracy; therefore making it imperative on our party’s district functionaries to raise their voice against it.