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| So, voters leave ‘them’ red faced! | | Message from Valley: power of democracy is with people | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Nov 18: As the electorate, the saner public opinion, the government and political parties draw confidence from first phase of polling and move toward the subsequent phases more confidently, the surprise turnout of Monday has triggered a debate between ‘Azadi’ and democracy.
Meanwhile, latest compilation of voter count after getting information from poll parties in far and off areas has put the total turnout at 69%. What has left the separatists red faced and mainstreamers springing is the fact two of the three constituencies in Bandipore district have polled more votes than they did in 2002 elections. It adds significance to this overwhelming participation in view of the fact that there was neither this kind of winter chill and nor the blanket boycott call from separatists in 2002 assembly elections.
A day after the ballot has triumphed over the bullet and a huge turnout was witnessed in the Jammu and Kashmir valley during the first phase of elections - mainstream political leaders have welcomed the vote against the 'Azadi' slogan.
The high turnout of voters assumes significance since it came despite a boycott threat issued by Kashmiri Separatists. National Conference's Chief ministerial candidate Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that the voters have shown that they want change. On the other hand the separatists are red faced after seeing the voter turnout and are dismissing the path voters in the valley have taken.
Farooq Abdullah, the Chief Ministerial candidate of National Conference said that the high turnout shows that people in the valley want a return to democracy. He said, "Democracy is taking its roots. People want change and a government that will do their work." Expressing worry about the weather in the reagion he said, "People have come out and voted that’s a good thing but lets not go beyond that as this is the first phase there are many stages to go through."
But the separatists are trying to look for reasons and are saying that it is too early to say that the turnout is an indication of how the valley is reacting considering it’s just the first phase. The Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Ghani Lone said, "1st of all there are 3 constituencies in the Kashmir valley that have gone to polls, there are 7 phases so we have to wait for the whole process. I don’t think that anybody needs to get excited that this is particularly a vote for India.
He also added, "The turnout has taken in the context of a very brutal regime. Most of the separatist leaders are under arrest. I am personally under house arrest for the last 13 or 14 days but even then lets wait for the full 7 phases then we can discuss.”
Citing example from the past he said, "There had a been a turnout in the years 1977, 1983 and 1987 also if this was a hint then what we have seen in the last 20 years --post 1989 should not have happened at all. So creating a link between the turnouts and resolving these issues would be very dangerous."
At the Centre - the Congress has hailed the turnout as a big blow to the separatists and their agenda. Congress spokesman, Kapil Sibal very confidently said, "Without a doubt it is a big blow for the separatists in J and K. In the cold weather of 3 degrees in such difficult conditions 69 percent of the electorate in some places to come out and vote. This gives us a lot of solace that democracy has taken root in India. Even in the most difficult of circumstances people want to express themselves through the ballot. The message that goes out to the separatists is that the only way of being in the mainstream is to take part in politics and let the people decide for themselves."
10 constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir went to the polls on Monday (Nov 17). Polling began slowly due to the chilly winds sweeping the region but picked up as the day got warmer. Higher turnout was witnessed in Jammu region's Mendhar, Poonch and Surankot and Ladakh's Nobra, Leh, Kargil and Zanskar. |
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