The Assembly polls have been conducted for the first time in J&K after 5th of August,2019, the day J&K’s special status within the Indian Constitution was withdrawn and the state divided into two union territories. Well, in response to all this, the people of J&K have taken Assembly polls-2024 as a valuable opportunity, to express themselves through ballot and sent out a strong signal to entire nation.
Firstly, by regressively hitting the EVM, to extent of 63% or more, the people of J&K have once again reaffirmed their faith in democracy, despite what they have been subjected to very undemocratically. Not resorting to any kind of violent method, the people have out-rightly rejected violence and reacted by coming out in large numbers to vote. In order to express their anguish and dissent, the people have resorted to more aggressive voting. Hence the people have countered the undemocratic means in a very sensible, patient and democratic manner.
Secondly, the people have rejected the communal forces by voting for more secular candidates and secular parties. Throughout the nervous system of country, the clear secular signals have been currented by people of J&K. The NC has bagged single handedly 42 seats, which magic number the political pundits of NC were not even themselves ever expecting. The people have actually reacted against 5th August, 2019 and the by-product of reaction is in the form of tally bagged by NC, therefore by default NC has emerged beneficiary and got unexpectedly strengthened.
Thirdly, the people have displayed that tables can be turned as per the required length & breadth at any time in the show and in any region. Engineer Rashid emerged as hero in parliamentary election, most probably as he was the most audible and effective voice from the given lot and due to his pro-longed detention, the people were emotionally connected, but in the Assembly elections the people quickly changed stance and voted as per local requirement. The PDP, which was once the strongest party has been reduced to a number that can be carried in a battery auto to Assembly House.
The emergence of PDP as a parallel political option was in the very interests of J&K, as it could have resisted as great opposition. It is pertinent to mention here that PDP had done commendable and historic job from 2022 to 2005 under the vision of great Mufti Mohammad Syed, which no other political leader could do in the recent past history of J&K.
The recent election trends clearly depict that people of J&K have now turned politically very sensitive and very quickly smell any betrayal move. The big giants of politics have been thrown to ashes in recent elections and some prominent faces knowing their performance in advance , have not even dared to contest elections.
The biggest challenge for the new government is the restoration of statehood, though same is not in their absolute domain, but the onus is entirely on the government to build pressure on centre and do all the needful in bringing the same back. Obviously, then only they will get strength to do justice with their mandate and manifesto, otherwise the said regime is bound to face the same fate as PDP did in the recent past. The 2nd big challenge for the government is to diffuse the pro August 05, 2019 narrative at national level and at every platform and create a support system at national level that same must be reversed, so as to restore the faith of masses in democracy.
The recent statement of Omar Abdullah on restoration of Article 370 may heavily tell upon his credibility and may be seen as quick u-turn, because the leaders are there to fight for genuine rights and issues, come what may. The bold leaders never choose battles by considering the strength of opposition, but by favoring the truth and justice.
From administrative point of view, hopefully, let’s expect the new government will provide some on ground relief to the people of J&K like uninterrupted electricity and water supply at cheaper tariff, better health care and education system, employment avenues, smooth road connectivity, business subsidies and last but not the least corruption free and peaceful environment.
Finally, lets hope and pray for the peace, prosperity and development of J&K.
