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| Not only seat in assembly, security and official privileges too lure them | | CANDIDATE TURNOUT | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 4: As many as 102 candidates in fray in 10 assembly constituencies where there was only 42 candidates in 2002 elections have left the political observers surprised over this overwhelming participation.
However, the officials associated with election management and the state’s security agencies have some answers for this over two-fold growth in political participation. Official privileges and VIP status are being seen as some of the major factors which are pulling crowds to the battlefield of polls.
For ten assembly constituencies going to polls in first phase in four districts of Poonch, Bandipora, Kargil and Leh 102 candidates are in the fray after last date of withdrawal of nomination papers. Only 42 candidates had contested from these constituencies in 2002 elections. Though this huge participation is seen as a good omen more candidates are likely to pull more voters to the polling stations to make the exercise competitive and participatory but this is not without other reasons. The majority of candidates, of course, are independents and nominees of smaller parties or national parties with hardly in presence in Jammu and Kashmir.
Once a candidate files nomination papers and his documents are found fit after scrutiny, he gets official privileges –a hired vehicle, fuel for it and most importantly two to four security guards. In threat prone areas, the number of security guards can be higher than this. “Not only this, the contesting candidates also stand the chance of getting some local officials fired and which is often done by independents”, said a political observer.
Experienced hands in the state government managing election affairs, say that in many cases candidates file their nomination papers to enjoy security and other privileges. “Many of them are pretty much sure about their ability of not polling more than 200 to 500 votes but still they contest with confidence to enjoy the privileges”, said an official. He added, though the security is withdrawn after results are out but many retain for a longer time citing threat perception. “Hundreds of those who had contested in 1996 or 2002 are still enjoying security on the basis of threat perception due to political activity, particularly in Kashmir Valley”, he said.
With the assembly elections barely a fortnight away, electioneering is yet to pick up momentum but the lack of enthusiasm has failed to dampen the spirit of the candidates.
Several parties are seeking to enter the political arena in the state via this election. These include the Lok Jana Shakti Party, the Bahujan Samaj Party and both factions of the Janata Dal.
The Janata Party led by Dr Subramanyan Swamy has been asking for candidates and campaigners through newspaper advertisements, promising money, vehicles and accommodation after the polls.
The Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to counter its saffron image by fielding several Muslim candidates in the Kashmir Valley, which has a very small Hindu voter base.
It has fielded 17 Kashmiri Muslims including Nisar Ahmed Gilani from Sangrama, which is a separatist stronghold near Sopore and bastion of hardline Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
Even those who are serious about getting elected to the legislative assembly also have security angle at top of their minds. Observers believe that the sudden rush for filing nominations has less to do with politics and more to do with security. Along with other privileges, elected candidates also get a personal security guard and police protection at their house. Each member of the Legislative Assembly will also be provided a government accommodation and a vehicle for the next five years. |
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