Elections in Kashmir - 2002-08-19

Elections in Kashmir - 2002-08-19. The Deputy Prime Minister of India states that Pakistan is ignoring the elections in Kashmir and that the elections will not be delayed for broader participation from pro-Pakistan separatist groups. Lal Krishna Advani says that delaying the elections will not increase voter participation, as the Pakistani government has advised these groups to boycott the elections. In his television interviews on Monday, Mr. Advani explicitly stated that elements in Indian Kashmir are under the influence of Pakistan due to fear or financial reasons. The Kashmiri separatist groups led by the '23 Party Hurriyat Conference' have so far refused to participate in the elections scheduled for September and October. They claim that these elections have been orchestrated for the benefit of pro-India parties. India hopes that by conducting a free and fair election in the region, it can strengthen its claim over Kashmir. President Pervez Musharraf has ridiculed these elections. The dispute over Kashmir has been the main source of tension between the two countries in recent decades. In recent months, hostilities between the two countries have escalated, bringing India and Pakistan to the brink of a nuclear war.