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| A constituency tailored to suit out siders | | | Shiv Kumar Padha (Basohli)
Comparing the development of Basohli constituency with the rest of the constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir state even after 66 years of independence, we find Basohli constituency totally neglected and behind its counterpart constituencies in the field of employment, education, health, poverty elimination, connectivity, industries, agriculture and handicraft. There might be many causes for the poor or little development of the constituency like its topography, geographical conditions, scattered and inaccessible habitats, hilly terrain and poverty. But the most important factor considered responsible for the progress and development of a constituency depends upon the sympathy, sincerity, and intention of the persons representing the constituency. The representatives who belong to the constituency are committed for the development of their own place and people whereas those who are out siders visit their constituency only once in a blue moon and show no interest in its development because their sole aim remains how to grind about their own axis, feather their own nests and reach the higher echelons of power by using the innocent voters as a ladder.
No doubt whole Basohli constituency is hilly but it cannot be considered as an excuse for such neglect because the development of such constituencies can be difficult but not impossible. Not to talk of other parts of the country even the people living in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed unprecedented development of those places which were once considered as inaccessible even for the animals and the birds. Such places have been developed easily only due to the political and individual commitment of the representatives and their belongingness with the natives of the constituency because where there is will there is way.Even after more than six decades of independence Basohli has been meted out step motherly treatment by their own representatives( not belonging to the constituency) because some of them made their entry in the assembly by dint of their muscle and money power while others by the political clout. The natives of the constituency are reeling under illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, lack of connectivity, lack of health and medical facilities, shortage of power and drinking water supply. Like other constituencies there are no poverty eliminating schemes, no parks, play grounds, small scale industries and skill development programs for the youth in the constituency.Out of the period of 66 years after independence only three local MLA's could representBasohli constituency for only 15 years with first two Sh. Mahant Ram Sharma (congress) and Sh. Mahesh Chandersharma (prajaparishad) for 5 and 2 years respectively during fifties and the present Sh. JagdishSpolia from BJP with his total tenor of 8 (6+2) years.For the rest 51 years some shrewd politicians from outside manipulated intrusion in the constituency with the intention of grabbing it.In order to achievethe nefarious planof paving their way to legislative assembly from Basohli for ever they tailored the constituency in such a way as could minimize the possibility of the natives becoming MLA in future. In order to give practical shape to the plan they managed dilution of the voters of Basohli constituency at the governmental level. Under the well thought plan these (outsider) politicians got 12 Kandi belt patwars of Kathua tehsil comprising of 28 polling stations and 25 villages, which are hardly at one hour journey from their parent tehsil Kathua and more than hundred kilometers away from Basohli, attached with the Basohli constituency obstructing the way of Basolite becoming MLA in future.
This Kandi belt has been deciding the fate of the Basohli constituency in the past and is still considered as the game changer/king maker in the state because many politicians from district/tehsil Kathua have been able to reach higher echelon of power in the state and the Centre from this constituency. It is very sad that these politicians, after achieving their goals, never took the way of the constituency from where they got the mandate and left the poor and innocent voters to their fate. Instead of doing something for the welfare of the poor masses they made the hay during the sun shine at the cost of the development of the constituency. Still the hospitals and dispensaries of the constituency are functioning without drugs and doctors, unemployment is prevailing everywhere, the villages are still falling apart in the absence of connectivity, and there are no industries, the handloom industry totally destroyed. We Indians are very proud of our democratic system of government in the world but who knows that there are some constituencies like the one Basohli in Jammu and Kashmir state which is hijacked by the clever politicians and the voters of the constituency are made hostages who are made to dance at the tune of such politicians.
It will be, therefore, in the interest of both the people and the state to help liberate the Basohli constituency from the grip of selfish politicians by detaching the 12 patwars of Kathua tehsils which are joined with the Basohli constituency for the personal motives so that the voters can heave a sigh of relief and can have the MLA of their choice and dream in future. |
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