National Register of Citizens (NRC) to seal fate of Assam rural polls

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 25: This is a record of sorts in Assam –it is NRC which is going to seal the fate of the delayed panchayat poll in the State. The State Election Commission literally does not have much to do in holding of the rural poll in the State on time, this time around.

The State Government is faced with such a situation as the entire State machinery and various agencies, including security agencies, have been engaged in NRC update, a process that has diverse ramifications. The situation has to come to such a pass in the State that nothing can be said on the timeline of holding panchayat poll in the State before the publication of the complete NRC draft on July 30. In post-July 30 also, the situation will depend largely on the law-and-order scenario in the State.

The State Intelligence has input that some sections or organizations are on the wait for availing every minor lapse on the part of those engaged in NRC update to create a law-and-order situation in the State with the sole intention of derailing the NRC or to put it on hold.

Even if the situation in the State after the publication of the NRC on July 30 is normal, the chances of holding the panchayat poll immediately is bleak as the same men and machineries will have to remain engaged in responding to claims and objections, besides holding hearings and preparing the final NRC.

However, the SEC is well aware of the burden which it has been under by not being able to hold the rural poll in the State on time. This burden becomes more staggering when it takes into account the directive issued to it by the Gauhati High Court asking it to hold the rural poll within September 15 this year.

The bottom line goes that the chances of holding rural poll immediately in the State is bleak as the power that be at Dispur has to think for it only if every other aspect related NRC goes hassle free.