Floods, Discontent and Turncoats, J&K will vote on 25th Nov.

Jammu & Kashmir is all set to vote in five phases beginning November 25. As Election commission of India (ECI) on Saturday announced polling dates which will start from November 25^th to December 20^th. Counting will be held on 23^rd December.

When asked in a press conference, if it was the right time to hold elections, Election Commissioner, V.S. Sampath said that calamity will have no impact on polls. He said that the post-flood situation, along with other aspects have been taken into account while deciding the schedule.  “Except for one political party, most political parties in J&K are in favor of holding elections on time. There is no reason, no justification for delaying the polls. The EC’s mandate is to hold elections on time.” Sampath said

Last month state faced the most devastating floods of the century, due to which people faced huge losses in every aspect.  At this point of time; when on one hand many people are living in tents, prime political party of the state; National conference expressed unwillingness to hold elections. Chief Minister Omer Abdullah said that situation was not conducive for polling.

People are facing hardships in valley due to recent floods. Winter season is approaching and most of the people in flood affected areas are yet to return to their homes. It is a challenge for the government to hold polls when people are homeless.

Chief Electoral officer J&K, Umang Narulla said that 99 polling stations in the state need to be relocated in the wake of recent floods for smooth conduct of assembly elections in the state.

Earlier this year, National Conference tasted a setback in Lok sabha election by losing all three seats in Kashmir. In six parliamentary constituencies, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged victorious on three seats of Kashmir and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on three seats of Jammu. Many believe that National conference is using flood devastation as an excuse to delay elections, as the party has lost faith in people which is evident from the outcome of Lok Sabha elections. 

Election Commission gave very little time for parties to strategize and left every political party high and dry. “ECI left very small time for us to plan things we are yet to allot mandates and elections are on head now, we are very hopeful that people will definitely vote for development” said senior congress leader and former PCC president Peerzada Mohd Sayeed. While asking about government formation he said “of course no party will come out with majority and it’s evident that once again there will be a coalition government but we are yet to decide which party we will support”

While people are going through rehabilitation process in the valley, it is not clear whether people in flood affected areas will go to vote or not. “We will definitely vote in coming elections and this is the right time for voting as we want a new government to be formed which will rebuild new Kashmir” said Mohd Saleem a local from Kokernag Constituency in South Kashmir.

 Meanwhile, separatist ideology is dominant in Kashmir and separatists are holding anti-polling campaigns which probably will make an impact in impending elections. There are divisions among voters in valley and it is too early to predict which political party will gain majority in the valley. Political parties are individually attempting to gain familiarity and work for strengthening field on ground. People look forward to having a good government in the state which can re-build Kashmir after destructive floods.

src:leadtech.in

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