SRINAGAR: The stage seems to be set for assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir after a majority of political parties expressed willingness to participate in the democratic process.

The National Conference, which was uncertain at an earlier meeting with the election commission (EC) in Delhi, did a U-turn on Wednesday, signaling readiness for elections.

"Should EC decide to hold polls, National Conference is not a party to shy away," president Omar Abdullah said.

Omar had sent a four-member team to meet a five-member EC team, which is camping in Kashmir for the last two days to review poll preparations and gauge the mood of the parties, to present his view. The EC team also met representatives of other political parties.

The Congress, which ruled the state before PDP withdrew support to its government in July, too is willing. "We will respect the EC decision," a party spokesman said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and CPI(M), however, are skeptical. "People are going through pain. There is a need for more confidence-building measures," PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said. The separatists too rejected the polls.
Source : DNA