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| People alone are masters of destiny | | | | Not only Jammu and Kashmir but India and many parts of world interested in this region were keenly waiting for the November 17 when four districts of the state went to first phase of polling for the legislative assembly elections. The day has passed off leaving a thought which has left many red faced. Thundering clouds seldom rain, so goes the saying. From political parties to the Government of India and Election Commission almost everyone was extremely worried about holding or not holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir which were due by the month of October. When elections were finally announced to begin by November 17, the delay was not too long but the impression of delay was rather too deep. In run up to the announcement of election schedule there was wide ranging debate on nature of elections and their outcomes. All these doubts and suspicions were triggered by the situation which emerged over Amarnath land row. A twice-mad decision of the government saw a huge uprising in the Valley and left the state dangerously polarised. Situation in Jammu though settled down after two months of violent agitation but Kashmir Valley reached a situation of no return. The Election Commission and the Government of India were clearly in a double whammy. Everyone was expecting Kashmir's total refusal to participate in the elections as a bunch of separatist leaders asked people to boycott the democratic exercise. The Government and the Election Commission had a reason to worry about. An election with meager poll percentage could have been a serious embarrassment for India internationally and deferring the elections could have rather raised much serious questions. The elections were finally announced on October 19 with a cautious approach. As the D-day came closer, everyone in the government and mainstream political spectrum appeared nervous. However, on their day the people of Kashmir, particularly in the district of Bandipore which has 10 assembly constituencies, have proved all wrong. Before government the challenge was single–impact of boycott call. However, before the voters there were two potential challenges –coercion for not to vote and adverse weather prevailing in almost all areas which went to poll. People accepted the challenge honourable and gracefully and proved that their will is supreme. Unprecedented polling in Gurez, Sonawari and Bandipore has underlined that people have their deep faith in the institutions of democracy and have the courage and will to bring about change. It is not about formation of a government headed by 'A' party or 'B' party. The basic question is of right and opportunity for electing a government of their choice. The separatists who had campaigned against elections now have very little to explain about their sway which they claimed as supreme in Kashmir. Indeed, voters have left them red faced with a message that they alone are the masters of their destiny. |
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