After the successful conduct of the eight phase long district development council polls, which recorded over 50 percent voter turnout in Jammu and Kashmir, all eyes are now set on the performance of the candidates belonging to the Bharatiya Janta Party and the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).
Ahead of the counting of votes on December 22, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Sunday congratulated the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the election machinery for the successful conduct of District Development Council (DDC) and Panchayat Elections in the Union Territory.
“ Despite harsh weather conditions, the polling stations across the UT witnessed long queues of enthusiastic voters and people came out to vote in large numbers, with the voter turnout percentage even in the traditionally low percentage areas registering manifold increase as compared to earlier held Parliamentary elections, which itself manifests that faith of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the democratic process has deepened”, he added.
He further said that with the culmination of DDC elections, the people of J&K will, for the first time in history, see a truly empowered grass root democracy entailing direct funding and decentralized decision making in the planning and development of rural areas.
Compared to the Kashmir region, where voter turnout between 35 to 40 percent was recorded, the Jammu region recorded 65 to 70 percent polling.
Among all other political parties in the fray the Bharatiya Janta Party ran a high voltage campaign centered around the performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The entire poll campaign was micro managed by the core group of the party to ensure victory for their party candidates.
BJP is also hoping to win a majority of seats in Jammu region as West Pakistani refugees, members of the Valmiki community and Gorkha community participated in the polls for the first time. In Kashmir valley, party is expected to improve its tally by making inroads in several pockets of central and North Kashmir. Inside reports claimed, BJP may end up winning around 10-14 seats across 10 districts of Kashmir valley while it is expected to win majority seats across six districts of Jammu region.
On the other hand, PAGD is expected to garner majority votes in Kashmir valley. Congress and Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party ran a relatively lacklustre campaign and may end up securing third and fourth place in the finally tally.
During the month long campaign, BJP parachuted star campaigners and union ministers to woo the electorate and on the other hand central Congress leaders stayed away from the campaign.
Barring J&K Unit incharge Rajni Patil no other central leader visited Jammu and Kashmir to address poll meetings. JKPCC Chief GA Mir and Jammu based congress leaders were left to fend for themselves.Even the top brass of the National Conference including the father son duo of Dr Farooq Abdullh, Omar Abdullah stayed away from the campaign meetings while former party MLA's ,ex-ministers ran the party campaign in their absence. Omar was relatively more active on the social media while Dr Farooq Abdullah only posted video messages urging voters to elect PAGD candidates to defeat divisive agenda of the BJP.
Political observers tracking the DDC polls told The Pioneer, “Impressive voter turnout of over 50 percent in these polls has silenced all those critics who were raising question marks over the timing of the polls amid growing unrest among the Kashmiri population in the aftermath of reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and creation of two Union Territories on August 5, 2019”.
In their election campaign meetings BJP leaders maintained, “The fight is between who will carry the Tiranga in Jammu Kashmir and who will not protect it”. BJP leaders also targeted PDP leaders claiming they are openly saying that they will not hoist the national flag until Article 370 is restored”.
“They are seeking Chinese and Pakistani support for restoration of Article 370,” . “The fight is between nationalist forces and forces who want disturbance in J&K and also between those who want normalcy and those who don’t want it. This is a very special election where on one hand, the BJP is fighting for the national flag while the others are Chinese and Pakistan lovers.”
BJP leaders also tried to expose the agenda of the PAGD leaders and accused them of diverting development funds meant for the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The party also sought votes on the development plank and performance of the Modi government at the centre.
BJP leaders also wooed the women electorate in a big way across Jammu region to consolidate its hold over its vote bank. They roped in Smriti Irani and other local women leaders who campaigned aggressively and exposed the PAGD alliance which collectively deprived women of their property rights during their term in office. On the other hand, PAGD leaders focused on restoring statehood and special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
