news details |
|
|
Leaders of regional parties keep fingers crossed as new entrants prove tough competitors | Record voters send everyone into tizzy | | Early Times Report SRINAGAR, Dec 9: The record polling percentage in the first three phases of the ongoing five phased assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has send everyone in a tizzy, including the big leaders of various regional parties and the Political Pundits, who after every phase of the polling used to predict which seat has gone to whom. Record polling after a span of two decades has made many people uncomfortable, separatists are finding it hard to believe that people have ignored their boycott call and have come out in large numbers to vote. On the other hand politicians, especially in Kashmir, who used to rely on boycott, have been left amazed and dazed by the overwhelming participation of people in the polls. Three districts of Kashmir, Budgam, Baramulla and Pulwama, barring a few areas, witnessed brisk polling today, according to the official nearly 60% electorate exercised their franchise in these districts. People at different polling booths were in no mood to reveal whom they are voting for but they seemed determined to cast their vote in the favour of their own candidate. Another factor which pulled the people to polling booths this time around was that many candidates are contesting from one constituency. The fight is no more confined between big parties like National Conference and People’s Democratic Party. New faces jumping into election fray and going door to door to seek the support of people also brought masses out of their homes amidst winter chill. Ground reports indicate that no one can predict which party has won from where till December 23, the counting day, as there is every possibility of bigwigs facing defeat as local candidates in their respective areas have cut their votes. North Kashmir's volatile Sopore town witnessed 30 percent polling today after a span of 18-years, in 2008 Sopore had recorded 19 percent polling. People in Sopore town, considered to be the bastion of separatists, came out to vote for their local candidates with a hope they may be able to bring the much desired change. More and more people joining politics and local faces making an attempt to become a part of the system this time around have changed the very concept of the assembly elections, especially in Kashmir. People preferring local candidates over the old faces of the old parties have sent alarm bells ringing in the camps of the regional parties across Kashmir. However, many leaders of the regional parties are drawing solace from the fact that increased polling percentage may not harm their cause as the votes are likely to get divided among the new candidates who are contesting from various constituencies. The political pundits are of the opinion that new entrants have the potential to upset the old horses and no one is in a position to predict what would be the outcome of the ongoing assembly polls. "If Srinagar city witnesses good polling this time around it can prove counterproductive for the ruling National Conference as the party during all these years has banked on a few thousand people for votes,' said an expert. He said people defying the boycott call of separatists has hit the regional parties more than anyone else and high voter turnout can prove beneficial for the debutants. "Politicians too have realized that this election has proven to be an uphill task for them," the expert added. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
|
BSE
Sensex |
 |
NSE
Nifty |
|
|
|
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|