EC makes crisis plan for Uttarakhand

Ruling out any change of date for the January 30 Assembly elections in Uttarakhand, Chief Election Commissioner Y S Qureshi has said the election commission has prepared a contingency plan for the snow-bound areas of the hill state. “The snow bound areas in Uttarakhand are less than five per cent of the total polling stations. Weather data of the hill state also show that snow and rain are usually heavier in the month of February than in the month of January,” said Qureshi when asked to comment on the demand of change of date for elections in view of intense cold conditions in the hill state.

Qureshi’s statement came after winding up his two-day trip to Uttarakhand where he thoroughly reviewed poll arrangements for the assembly elections. Earlier, chief minister B C Khanduri had asked the election commission to postpone elections on the account of intense wintry conditions in the month of January especially in high altitude areas.

However, Qureshi said in case of any snowfall or rains, the election commission has prepared contingency plans for the elections. These plans include providing special equipment like snow cutters and taking help from the army and adventure institutes said Qureshi, who arrived here for a two-day visit to review arrangements for January 30 assembly elections in Uttarakhand. A back-up helicopter arrangement will also be made, he said. Meanwhile, Congress has distanced itself from a demand by the ruling BJP to postpone polls in view of the wintry conditions. Making its stand clear on the issue, state Congress spokesman Surendra Kumar said the demand by the ruling BJP to postpone elections was coming because the chief minister wants to enjoy power for some more days and asserted that the party is ready to face elections in January itself.

“The writing on the wall is clear. Congress will come to power with a thumping majority,” said Kumar.

“As Khanduri has already sensed a defeat, he is now trying to cling on to power for some more days,” said Kumar.

On the other hand, State BJP spokesman Satish Lakhera said the election commission’s decision to hold elections on Jan 30 will affect poll percentage in snow-bound areas. However, he said the BJP is ready for the battle of ballots on Jan 30. Ends