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| Weigh all pros and cons before fixing Panchayat poll schedule | | | The ensuing Panchayat and civic elections are likely to be as crucial for the ruling alliance as they are going to be for the main opposition PDP and the BJP. As far as the National Conference-Congress alliance is concerned the elections will demonstrate the level of coordination between the two partners. More important than this is the possiblitiy of the election results indicating whether the Congress has gained added ground or not. It may demonstrate whether the ruling National Confer ence has faced major erosion in its areas of influence or not. One may not compare the election results with those in 2000 because at that time the Panchayat elections were held in 50 per cent of the Panchayat constit uencis because of difficult security scenario and weather constraints. The gains and losses of the two ruling parties can be compared to the strength they had demonstrated during the Assembly election in 2008 or even 2002.
Indications are that number of opposition partis, including the BJP, the PDP and the Panthers, are keen to see the Panchayat and civic elections completed as early as possible. Before one surmises on the poll fortune of various political parties one has to ensure that a free and fair poll was held in the state.Yes, chances of a fair poll are bright because there is nothing serious at stake for the political parties. But one important issue needs to be kept in view before the Government announces the schedule for the Panchayat and the civic elections. First, it has to keep in mind the weather conditions in the valley, in Ladakh and in the hilly belts of the Jammu region. It has to reckon with the weather vagaries and feel sure that weather problems did not come in the way of completing the poll process in the entire state. It will be better if the Government takes into account the weather picture in January 2000 when the Panchayat elections were held in the state. It was because of the adverse weather conditions that elections could not be held in various areas of the state. Secondly, the Government has to keep in mind the security scenario in the state, especially in the Kashmir valley where clashes between protesters and security forces, besides shutdowns and curfew rest rictions had delayed restoration of peace and added new dimensions to incidents of violence.
More important than this is he response to the elections from the separatists. Since these separatists have gained added political weight since June last they could ensure very poor participation by the voters. Since June last the separatists' calls for hartals and protest rallies have evoked massive response from the people. In the context of this development their call for boycott of Panchayat elections may equally evoke greater response from the voters than one had seen in 2002 nd 2008 Assembly elections. And if the majority of polling booths remained deserted on the day of polling it could be an embarrassment not only for the national Conference led Government but for the Government of India also. No doubt the National Conference leadership is keen to complete the Panchayat and civic elections it is yet not sure whether its candidates receive voters support or not. The fears in the Congress camp are similar to the one in the National Conference. If the election results indicate major erosion in the strength of the ruling coalition one may not hesitate holding anti-incumbency factor responsible for it. Anti-incumbency factors creep in when the ruling party or the ruling coalition fails in having a sound performance. Possibly this very fear seems to motivate the NC and the Congress leadership to favour candidates being fielded on a non-party basis. However the PDP and the BJP oppose it as they seem to be confident to reap rich harvest if the Panchayat and civic elections were held in the near future. It would be better and politically a wise step if the ruling alliance, without thinking in terms of gains and losses the two may face, weighs all pros and cons before fixing the poll schedule. |
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