Deferring of polls not something new: Azad

Rajouri, May 2:  Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that deferring of polls is not something new.

He was talking to media persons in Poonch, “In 1998 elections were postponed just 12 hours before the voting and it was done by governance system of Congress at that time.”

Azad again welcomed the rescheduling of poll date for Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary constituency.

He, however, questioned the hue and cry being raised over the decision." There is nothing new if polling has been deferred. This was done in 1998 also and that too just 12 hours before voting." Azad said.

"Dr Farooq was Chief Minister at that time and Inder Kumar Gujral Prime Minister. ECI at that time was framed by Congress as it (Congress) was supporting Gujral and they both (Congress and Gujral) were supporting Dr Farooq," said Azad. He added that no one decried at that time as who will get benefitted.

The DPAP chairman also took a jibe on PDP. While replying to a question regarding suspicion of postponement of voting with aim to support PDP, Azad said, Who is interested in providing benefit to PDP. How many people at national level know PDP,” he said.

Azad stated that this is just a move to gain self publicity. Azad also called for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said that 10 years have passed since last assembly elections and people of Jammu and Kashmir are in dire need to get an own elected government.