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| Independents likely to emerge as a new force to reckon with | | Big parties feel the heat, leaders keep their fingers crossed | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 6: With just two days left for the first phase of the municipal polls, mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir are feeling the heat. Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and other Jammu based parties which are contesting these polls are aware of the fact that winning these elections is not going to be a cake walk.
BJP is finding it hard to put its act together in Jammu region as independents are posing a tough challenge to the BJP candidates. On the other hand PDP and NC are finding themselves cornered in Kashmir after boycotting these polls as the independent candidates are all set to emerge as a new force.
"There is no doubt about the fact that BJP candidates have won a few seats unopposed in the Valley but same is not the case in Jammu, which till the recent past was considered to be the citadel of the party," said an analyst.
He said that the "big parties" which till date used to think are the only options available for the people have realized that change is on the cards and masses cannot be hoodwinked by just raising hollow slogans. "By boycotting the municipal and panchayat polls NC and PDP had thought that they would regain the lost ground in the Valley and separatists would also come forward to help them. But their move has backfired and they stand isolated," the analyst said.
He said on the other hand BJP was of the opinion that Jammu people would have to vote for them in any case. "But the youngsters and the new faces have turned the tables on the veteran leaders and have joined the poll fray to challenge their hegemony," he added.
A politician said that times are changing fast and it appears that people have become "very conscious politically. "People want to vote for only those representatives who can fight for them and address their issues. They (people) are not interested in voting for those candidates, who after winning the elections disappear from the scene," he added.
He said that leaders who till the recent past used to believe that they could get away with anything need to go for course correction if they have to remain relevant as the generation next is very much aware about its rights. "One thing is clear that people won't tolerate dynasty politics and a leader can no more pass on the baton to his heirs. Whosoever has to join the politics would have to prove his worth and work for the people," he added.
An observer said that municipal and panchayat polls would throw many surprises and it should serve as a wakeup call for the political parties ahead of parliamentary polls in 2019. |
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