Elections in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir must be delayed, says Congress

The Congress party on Wednesday said the elections in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir must not take place until normalcy returns.

"The elections must not take place until things get back to normal. The Election Commission must go there and do the surveillance to assess the right time when elections can take place," said Congress leader Rashid Alvi.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Atul Anjan backed the views of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the issue.

"The Prime Minister should call a meeting with all political parties to discuss such unparalleled situation. And with a constitutional amendment or with all rights with the Centre, the elections of Jammu and Kashmir should be extended for another six months," he said.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, avoided commenting on the issue.

"With regard to the elections, certainly it is a matter that will be seen and all aspects will be studied and looked into by the government, by the Election Commission, everyone. Only then, I am sure a decision will come. It is not proper to comment immediately," said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister had earlier on Tuesday said the situation is not conducive for polls in the state and warned of a 'zero percentage turnout' in Srinagar, which is the worst hit by the recent floods.

"My party has made it very clear that this is not the opportune time to hold elections ... at this point of time, people are struggling to rebuild their life," Omar told the media after meeting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.

The ruling National Conference fears its failure to deal effectively with the devastation caused due to floods might not fetch it votes as people across Jammu and Kashmir are still struggling to return back to normalcy.

The Election Commission, which is examining the possibility of whether the state polls can be held either in December or January, will take a final call on the poll dates after its visit to the state over the coming weekend.

The term of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly ends on January 19, 2015.