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| Geelani diktat unlikely to impact upcoming civic polls | | Call For Boycott | | RUSTAM
JAMMU, Mar 21: It has become customary with Tehrik-e-Hurriyat Conference chief Syed Ali Shah Geelani to give call for boycott of elections the moment the authorities plan to undertake an electoral exercise. He did it in 1996, but his call for boycott of elections had no impact on the people of Kashmir. He, like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik, has no say either in Jammu or in Ladakh. In 1996, the people of Kashmir, like those in Jammu and Ladakh, exercised their franchise and elected a government of their choice. The NC performed quite well in the Kashmir Valley and formed government under Farooq Abdullah, which completed full term. There was no violence anywhere in the Valley. It was a smooth affair.
Again, in 2002, Geelani issued a diktat and urged the people of Kashmir not to venture out of their houses in order to cast their votes, but his call was ignored. The people of Kashmir voted for those through whom they wanted themselves to be represented in the assembly. They rejected most of the NC candidates and, instead, voted for the PDP candidates. The tally of the NC was reduced by almost 50 per cent. The NC could win only 28 seats in the 87-member House. The PDP, in collaboration with the Congress and other formations, including the Panthers Party and the People's Democratic Forum, formed a coalition government. The voting percentage was higher in 2002, as compared to 1996 and this despite the fact that there was a threat to the life and limb of Kashmiri voters. The 2002 elections were also a smooth affair.
Almost identical was the story of the 2008 assembly elections. Geelani and others of his ilk gave call for election boycott but failed to impact the election process. The voting percentage was not lower in Kashmir Valley, barring a few constituencies. It was also a very smooth affair. While the PDP improved its position, the NC ma-intained its earlier tally, but formed coalition government with the Congress and it continues to be at the helm even today.
In between 1996 and 2009, Kashmir witnessed four Lok Sabha elections. Geelani and others of his ilk warned the people of Kashmir against taking part in the said electoral exercises, but with no result. The bulk of Kashmiri electorate ignored their warnings and diktats and elected members of their own choice. Sometimes they elected Congress candidates, sometimes the NC candidates and sometime the NC and the PDP candidates. There was hardly any incident of poll-related violence. Besides, Kashmir, like Jammu, also witnessed elections to the local bodies, including Srinagar Municipal Corporation, and Panchayat elections. Geelani & Co did all that it could to prevent the Kashmiri electorate from participating in these elections, but miserably failed. The Kashmiri electorate participated in these elections in large numbers and with great enthusiasm. Their participation was on an unprecedented scale. The voting percentage in the Panchayat elections was more than 80 per cent in certain areas of Kashmir. It was universally recognised.
Geelani again on Tuesday called for boycott of the upcoming municipal elections. He sung the same old song: "Elections are a ploy for creating misconceptions about Kashmir issue". "We appeal people to stay away from the municipal election…The results of municipal elections carry no weight…New Delhi has been portraying the elections as the acceptance of the 'military rule' by the people. The elections were used to mislead the international society and cover the human rights violations committed by the forces in the state. Therefore, participation in the elections is equivalent to negating the sacrifices made by the people of Kashmir over the years. And anyone taking part in the elections becomes a criminal by damaging the Kashmir cause…," he, inter-alia, said. "Only two percent polling would take place in the elections in case his political activities are unrestricted…," he also reportedly said.
It is hardly necessary to reflect on what he said while asking the people of Kashmir not to participate in the coming municipal elections because he said what he had to say. The fact of the matter is that the Kashmiri electorate would ignore his directions and threats, whatever one may call them, and participate in the exercise in large numbers. For, the people know the importance of elections and the elected representatives. The crux of the matter is that they ignored the Geelani's threats in the past and they would do the same the day the elections to elect new urban local-bodies' are held. Take it from me. Geelani is only seeking to achieve the unachievable. He knows it full well and still he does things he does always to remain in the news. He is not a solution to the problems the people face; the democratically elected bodies alone could mitigate their hardships.
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