news details |
|
|
| Rigging free elections, Modi's emergence make people repose faith in democracy | | Srinagar proves separatists, Omar wrong | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 15: The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, recording the highest voter turnout since 1996 in the fourth phase of the ongoing Assembly polls on Sunday has opened a new page in the history of Kashmir.
It was after a long time that people came out to vote in good numbers in different areas of the Srinagar city. There were many reasons which brought people out to cast their votes. Many people who were standing in long queues outside the polling booths were of the opinion that they have not achieved anything by staying away from polls for the past 22-years and their vote can make a huge difference.
In 2008 elections, Srinagar recorded 21.09 percent voter turnout while the figure for 2002 and 1996 assembly elections were 5.13 percent and 19.20 percent respectively, while as on Sunday Srinagar recorded nearly 28 percent polling.
Srinagar since 1990 is considered to be the bastion of separatists and they (separatists) were of the opinion that at least city would not defy their boycott call and low polling in the eight assembly segments of Srinagar would help them in maintaining their relevance. However, Srinagar recording highest polling in the past 22-years has hit them hard.
Flood victims coming out in large numbers to vote proved the prediction of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrong that Srinagar would witness zero percent polling. After floods hit Kashmir in September this year the ruling National Conference tried its best to ensure that polls should be postponed till March. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also tried to create "zero percent scare" to attract the attention of the central leadership and to make the Election Commission of India (ECI) reconsider its decision.
The polling for all the seats across Kashmir has ended and people this time around participated in the elections with lot of enthusiasm and with a hope that their votes would count and they would have a government of their choice at place.
One needs to give due credit to the Election Commission of India for ensuring free and fair polling and not allowing any political party to interfere in the electoral process. Rigging free elections is one of the main reasons for people showing keen interest in the poll process.
Another factor which brought people to polling booths in Srinagar and other areas of Kashmir is the emergence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi as one of the strongest leaders in India after a long time. His straight forward approach has instilled confidence among the masses that a few politicians cannot rule them forever and by taking part in the election process they can elect the leaders of their choice. Whether, people voted for BJP or not it is debatable but one thing is for sure that Modi has become a role model for the masses and his fiery speeches have instilled confidence among the people that they are capable to change their destinies.
No one can predict which party has won how many seats from Kashmir region in 2014 assembly polls as fates of the candidates are sealed in EVMs but one thing is for sure that people have reposed their faith in democracy and have said goodbye to boycott culture. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
