Politicians glorifying violence responsible for present situation: Gupta

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 14: The highly dwindled poll percentage in the bi-polls for Srinagar Lok Sabha Constituency is not only the result of problem of law & order but also is ridicule of the politicians who have been glorifying the terror and violence in the hope to garner their support.
Commenting on the sad situation created during the polling resulting in very low turn out, the Former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta said that law & order authorities, more so, the Election Commission should have taken into account the manners in which highly inflammatory utterances were aired by certain politicians and religious sentiments were aroused by chanting that particular religion was in danger and youths were fighting for Azadi of “Kashmir Nation” and necessary steps taken to check the wrought.
In such a situation, it was a big mistake to expect any free and peaceful conduct of the polls when the whole atmosphere was surcharged with communal sentiments, he added and observed that democracy becomes causality when there is domination of the operators of terror and stone pelters.
Interacting with a group of people from turmoil hit Valley of Kashmir, Prof. Gupta said the problem is more from politicians changing antics and playing dubious rather than the enemy in the open. They are creating more problems than playing any positive role in frustration when out of power.
Prof. Gupta said it is not the first time that the poll percentage has fallen so low. He recalled that in 1989 when there was the coalition of the National Conference & Congress a similar sad situation had developed because of eruption of violence. The poll percentage had fallen to the extent of four to five percent. And in Srinagar Lok Sabha Constituency the National Conference nominee was virtually elected uncontested.
He questioned the statement of senior Congress leader Prof. Saif-Ud-Din-Soz that it was first time the poll percentage was lowest since 1952, and questioned that what was the poll percentage in Baramulla Constituency in 1989 when he was elected to the Lok Sabha.
Prof. Gupta also recalled that there was no elections in 1952 as the Constituent Assembly was framed in 1951 with little polling process. And more over in the State Lok Sabha elections were held only in 1967 after the extension of the jurisdiction of Election Commission of India in wake of long struggle by the nationalists led by great leader, Pt. Prem Nath Dogra. How the reference is being made about 1952, he wondered and said it is height of ignorance which should be addressed at the earliest, keeping in view the gravity of the situation.

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