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| AAP likely to contest Lok Sabha elections from Kashmir | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 22: With the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) showing interest in contesting the Parliamentary elections in Kashmir, the going is likely to get more tough for the traditional political parties.
Young men have been seen wooing people to vouch for them. They carry sheets of paper to get signatures of people along with their contact numbers and voter list serial numbers. Rouf (named changed on request) is fascinated by the performance of the AAP in Delhi elections. "We must not shy away from elections if we want to usher in an era of transparency and fairness," he said. Rouf has just completed his studies and has taken up his family business for the time being.
"I have contacts with the AAP leadership and have been told to get signatures of people to get a ticket," he said. Rouf is hopeful of getting more than 300 signatures on the excel sheets he carries. "There are others like me. The ticket shall be allotted to the person who has maximum number of signatures, he said.
The warnings of separatist have no effect on Rouf and others. "They have their agenda and we have ours. We do not oppose them and they should not oppose us," said Rouf.
The exercise is a cause of worry for the traditional parties, say sources close to them. "Kashmir is highly unpredictable and if the AAP really contests from here, the traditional parties will be pushed to the wall," they said.
The AAP used a stir across the nation by suggesting a referendum on withdrawal of troops from Kashmir. Although the AAP had to backtrack from the statement yet a good number of people in the conflict torn Valley welcomed the suggestion.
The AAP's mode of governance has also evoked appreciation in the Valley. And, with the people having witnesses scams, scandals and massive corruption since 1996 in particular, a change seems quite imminent.
The separatists have already called for poll boycott. Usually the boycott favours National Conference especially in Srinagar. However, this time the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strong candidates in Srinagar and the benefit of the boycott may go to the AAP candidate. And, if the Srinagar Budgam constituency goes to AAP, it will definitely impact the forthcoming Assembly elections. However, it is too early to rush to conclusions. What actually happens remains to be seen. |
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