As the parliamentary polls in Jammu and Kashmir have enteredthe last phase, the politicians have intensified firing salvos at each other.
Soon after the first phase of polling ended in Anantnagparliamentary constituency in south Kashmir from where the PDP presidentMehbooba Mufti is contesting the elections, the National Conferencevice-president, Omar Abdullah, claimed that PDP is not even in fray and it isNational Conference versus Congress. He accused the PDP of betraying themandate of people and attributed low voter turnout in the six Assemblyconstituencies of Anantnag district to “anger against PDP.”
Omar mocked at Mehbooba for people not coming out to voteeven in her hometown Bijbehara. Omar ridiculing his bête-noire infuriatedMehbooba so much that she asked Omar to tell people where is his hometown, andwhich place he calls as his native place. Both the leaders know it very wellthat ongoing Parliamentary polls are “do or die” battle for them and theseelections would decide who would have an edge in the forthcoming Assemblyelections.
According to the media reports the Election Commission ofIndia (ECI) is likely to take a call about holding Assembly elections in thestate soon after the Lok Sabha polls end in the country. The team of thespecial observers, which the ECI had sent to Jammu and Kashmir to assess thesituation, has submitted its report. Now the ball is in the ECI’s court.
Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are aware about the fact that emergence of the new political forces in the state has made their task difficult. They know it very well that the fight for the Assembly constituencies this time around won’t remain confined between PDP and NC only. The new parties and the new leaders have already made their presence felt on the ground.
Large number of people attending the election rallies of Peoples Conference and Awami Ithad Party in north Kashmir is an indication that people are looking for a change. And if the new politicians make inroads into the citadels of the traditional parties it could spell doom for the NC and the PDP. At present both the parties are grappling with a number of issues. If NC and PDP don’t set their houses in order prior to the Assembly elections major upset cannot be ruled out.
At present no one can predict who would win the three LokSabha seats in Kashmir but one thing is for sure that results of theParliamentary polls would at least give an idea about where do NC, PDP, PC andother parties stand. Resurgence of Congress in south Kashmir is a cause ofconcern for the PDP as till the recent past Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama andKulgam were considered to be the strong holds of the PDP.
Polling percentage being on the lower side in the firstphase of elections in south Kashmir has hurt the PDP and if the voters continueto remain indifferent it would add to the woes of the PDP, which had emerged asan alternative for the “Grand Old Party”—National Conference— in the Valley.
Omar and Mehbooba taunting each other is not going to helptheir cause. Both the leaders have to put their acts together. They need toshift their focus on the grassroots workers as they are the ones who can cometo their rescue. The prevailing situation in the Valley, especially in volatileareas of south Kashmir, has pushed PDP on the back foot. If Mehbooba is able towin the Anantnag Parliamentary seat it would mean that PDP still has got anoutside chance. If Mehbooba loses the seat then it would mean more trouble forthe PDP.
Both the traditional parties, NC and the PDP, are contestingthe ongoing Parliamentary polls for their survival. South Kashmir is moreimportant for Mehbooba than Omar Abdullah. The PDP chief after losing the powerhas tried her best to get connected with the people at least in the areas,which once used to be the bastions of her party. Time only would tell whetherMehbooba has succeeded in her endeavor or not. For time being field seems to beopen and next two phases of the Lok Sabha polls would seal Mehbooba’s fate.Voter turnout in next two phases is crucial. The PDP chief has already soundedan alarm by claiming that attempts are being made to ensure that fewer peoplevote in elections.
(Javaid Malik is Senior Editor Greater Kashmir).