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| At 197 NC leads in rallies; Congress, PDP trail at 178 and 166 | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 12: Even though the keen observers of politics and elections find the present exercise dull and lacking enthusiasm, the government is counting the number of rallies and public meetings organized by various political parties in connection with ongoing assembly elections in the state.
According to an official spokesman, various political parties organized as many as 862 rallies and public meetings in various constituencies across the state. Government has counted 406 such rallies in Kashmir division and 456 in Jammu division. “National Conference organized 197 public meetings, Congress 178, Peoples Democratic Party 166 and the Bhartiya Janta Party 63”, read the details compiled by the government.
An official spokesman said that election rallies have always been occasions where contestants try to put across their ideas of governance and policy making. Rallies and public meetings, which are a true epitome of a healthy democratic set up, provide momentum to any electoral exercise that culminates in actual use of franchise on polling day. J&K, despite odds, has been no different.
Following the announcement of poll schedule for J&K State by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 19 and beginning of the process of making nominations for the first four phases, the electoral battleground is finally turning full circle with contestants in the fray taking out election rallies in order to woo voters and demonstrate that it is ultimately the will of the people that will always prevail.
The political parties are gearing up to seek mandate on their manifestoes and in the process signal that democratic course is the only way which will bring out a positive change in the society, be it political, economic or social. Since the announcement of poll schedule 862 political meetings have been organized across the state with 406 of these taking place in Kashmir division and 456 in Jammu division respectively. While 197 meetings have been held by NC so far, Congress has also organized 178 such meetings. PDP follows with 166 workers meetings while as BJP has organized as many as 63. BSP with 45, NPP 41, PDF 24 follow suit. Independents have also organized 56 rallies and workers meets across the State.
In Kashmir valley, all frontline political parties have established direct contact with the people by launching door-to-door campaign meetings and conducting road-shows to demonstrate their will to go full throttle. Big rallies, public meetings and door-to-door campaigns have been organized and addressed by stalwarts of all the political parties.
Despite certain elements out to mislead people about the poll process, there has been an exceptional response to the filing of nominations for the first phase with 47 contestants in fray in the three Assembly constituencies of newly-created Bandipora district alone, triggering a very proactive response from the people in the district. Out of the 102 candidates contesting elections in 10 constituencies in the first phase beginning November 17, Sonawari Assembly constituency leads with 22 contestants while as 19 candidates will fight it out in Bandipora constituency.
In Kashmir division, poll campaigning has been gradually picking up with different political parties having conducted over 400 big and small workers' conventions and door-to-door meets so far. These public meetings and workers' conventions have been organized in Uri, Handawara, Bijbehara, Arampora, Budgam, Nawakadal, Khanabal, Aragam, Alloosa and Hillar Kokernag areas to name a few. Banners and posters of candidates have been put up in some constituencies and there is a routine bustle associated with canvassing which is picking up.
While NC has organised nearly 100 workers' meetings, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has held 105 workers' meetings so far. Congress party has also organized 63 workers' meetings across Kashmir division while as independents and other political groupings/parties like PDF, BJP, BSP, SP, AL et al have also been part of the campaigning process with about 125 meetings and door-to-door meets to their credit. Out of these independents have conducted 24 rallies across Kashmir division.
Besides, all mainstream parties have organised 19 big rallies and public gatherings across the valley which have been addressed by top state and national leaders. While NC and PDP have held public gatherings in Budgam and Anantnag respectively, BJP has also jumped into the poll bandwagon by conducting rallies in Bandipora district of Kashmir division. Congress has also been in the thick of poll activity and has organised several rallies and workers' conventions ever since the poll schedule was announced. Top leaders of NC, PDP, Congress and the BJP have addressed big rallies in Budgam, Anantnag, Kargil and Bandipora recently. Parties like CPI(M) have also taken out election rallies in Kulgam immediately after polls were announced in the State.
In Kargil district, where 5 contestants each are in fray in Kargil and Zanskar Assembly constituencies, all political parties have organized rallies where contestants and political bigwigs have addressed large gatherings. Election rallies have also been held at Padum Zanskar and Drass in which political parties have spelt out their programmes for future. In the adjoining Leh district, where 9 candidates will try their luck in the two Assembly segments of Nobra and Leh, campaigning has been high pitch with voters using all tested means to convey their policies and programmes to the people. The four constituencies in the Ladakh region have braced themselves up with campaign trails hitting roads by way of posters, flags and gracefully-decorated vehicles.
In Jammu division, traditional fanfare and enthusiasm is seen both among voters and contestants with symbol posters of contesting parties darting constituency landscapes across all Assembly constituencies. Mainstream parties have held rallies in almost all the constituencies with rallies having been organized in Poonch, Bufliaz, Darhal, Shallan, Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda districts.
So far 456 workers' meetings and rallies have been organized in Jammu Division. While Congress so far has held 115 meetings, NC has also conducted 92 such meets. PDP with 59, BJP with 53, BSP with 43 and NPP with 37 public gatherings and workers conventions have also been in the thick of election campaigning. Near about 32 rallies and public meetings have also been organized by independents in the Jammu Division. |
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