Second phase of Assembly polls didn’t go according to the expectations as far as the polling. An estimated 57 percent voter turnout was recorded across the six districts. And three districts of Kashmir valley – Ganderbal, Budgam and Srinagar – saw polling of just 45.39 percent. On the contrary, the three districts of Jammu, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch saw 73.70 percent. However, unlike in the past, this election has witnessed a palpable excitement among people. One important factor is that the exercise is being held after a decade, during which Jammu and Kashmir has been under the centre’s rule for over six years. Although the future elected government would have far fewer powers, the people have expressed their preference for it over the years of bureaucratic rule. The reason is that bureaucracy by its very nature is mechanical and indifferent. The people want a local representation which is approachable, responsive and accountable to them, something that has been sorely missing in the current administration.
Going forward, the third and the final phase is due on October 1. It will be very crucial to the final outcome. In Kashmir, North Kashmir which following the parliament election has been the centre of attention for choosing Engineer Rashid over heavyweights like Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone. It will be interesting to see which way the north goes this time and whichever party gets a majority of the 18 seats will be critical to the formation of the next government. If the NC gets the majority of these seats, it could very well emerge as the single largest party in Kashmir Valley, if not in the union territory. Ditto in Jammu, where the BJP is expected to secure a majority of the seats. It will thus be desirable that people vote in large numbers.
Meanwhile, the electoral scene is likely to further heat up for the last phase. Already, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to not just replicate its 2014 performance but even better it. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is leading the BJP’s campaign for the third phase of Assembly polls in Jammu division. The Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a rally at Kathua on Thursday.
In Kashmir, parties are now going to shift their focus to north Kashmir and a battle royale is likely to shape up – more so between the NC, Awami Ittehad Party and the People’s Conference. Here’s hoping that the exercise ends well and leads to a new beginning.
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