After Srinagar, the Baramulla constituency set a new record in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the Kashmir valley. The Fifth Phase of voting for General Elections concluded with around 59 % voter turnout. This is hugely remarkable. Earlier, we saw a similar record turnout in central Kashmir as well. Things are going well in as far as the most important exercise in a democracy is concerned – casting of ballot.
The Baramulla parliamentary constituency is witnessing a triangular contest between the National Conference, People’s Conference and the Awami Etihad Party(AIP). All these three parties have many pockets of influence within this parliamentary constituency and it would be a tight contest. While the National Conference is an old cadre-based party, the People’s Conference is predominantly strong in the northernmost part of Kashmir while as Engineer Rasheed the jailed Awami Etihad leader also has considerable support in the Kupwara and Handwara areas.
The election in north Kashmir was flight with much fanfare. Big roadshows, big rallies and where ever the leaders went to address the public rallies flower petals and candies were flung at them for welcome. For every political party we saw thousands of people assemble everywhere the leaders went for campaigning. This was nothing short of a carnival. After a long long time Kashmir witnessed such an election campaign.
This is a remarkable change when seen from a broader perspective. All the credit must go the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for creating an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable change in last five years and lakhs of tourists are emblematic of this. The successful completion of election process in central and north Kashmir is another feather in the cap of LG Manoj Sinha.
Discussion about this post