SRINAGAR : Political parties are making all possible efforts to woo voters in 18 Assembly segments spread over five districts of Kupwara and Kulgam in Kashmir valley and Reasi, Udhampur and Poonch in Jammu region, going to polls in the second phase on December 2.
The first phase of the five-phased elections in the state recorded 70 per cent polling yesterday in 15 constituencies spread over Bandipora and Ganderbal district in Kashmir, Kargil and Leh in Ladakh region and Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban in Jammu region.
The ruling National Conference (NC) has to defend six constituencies of Gulabgarh, Poonch Haveli, Karnah, Kupwara, Handwara and Noorabad while People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has to defend four–Mendhar, Lolab, Home-Shalibugh and Devsar. Another partner in the NC-led coalition government Congress will try to defend Gool Arnas, Chenani (SC) and Sarankote, National Panther Party (NPP) Udhampur and Ramnagar, Communist Party of India (M) Kulgam, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Reasi and an independent Langate.
As the first phase is over, the battle field has shifted to these constituencies where senior leaders of different political parties are levelling allegations against each other besides making fresh promises to take the state to new heights. The NC which has to defend six seats have again raised the issue of restoration of Autonomy and promised to defend the Article 370, special status of Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who addressed a number of election rallies in some of these constituencies recently alleged that PDP had a secret understanding with the BJP to further weaken to special status of the state. He said the BJP has failed to make its stand clear on the Article as leaders of the party (BJP) are making contradictory statements at Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir to mislead the voters. Mr Omar Abdullahg wanted Prime Minister Narendera Modi to make public the party stand on the issue. Highlighting the development work done by the coalition government led by him during the past six years, Mr Omar Abdullah said Kashmir is a political issue which needs to be resolved as per the wishes of the people of the state. He demanded resumption of India and Pakistan dialogue process, saying it is the people of the Kashmir who suffered the most due to tension between two neighbours.
Surprisingly, the NC has yet to release it manifesto when first phase is already over and polling is scheduled in the second phase on December 2, involving a total of 12 constituencies from among the 28 seats won by it in 2008. Congress, which was a partner in the coalition government, is banking on the development work done during the Ghulam Nabi Azad rule when he was heading a coalition government alongwith PDP from 2005 for three years.
Senior Congress leaders, including Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mr Azad, PCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz and Amiba Soni addressed a number of election rallies to woo voters in favour of their party candidates.
Mr Gandhi accused the Omar Abdullah government to have failed to launch relief and rescue operation during devastating flood in the valley.
The Congress leaders, cautioning voters not to vote for BJP, alleged that the saffron party was dividing the society on communal lines for its political gains. The BJP, which too has yet to release its election manifesto, is seeking votes to unseat the Sheikh Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad families in the state. The BJP leaders are accusing that these leaders have looted the money which was for the development of the state.
However, there are different voices from among the party on Article 370 as Jammu based leaders, including Union Minister of state Dr Jitender Singh said that the issue was very much in the election manifesto of the party. However, some Kashmir based candidates, seeking votes for development contradicted it and said they will be the first to revolt against any move to abrogate the Article.
Sensing trouble to achieve the mission 44+ the national BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh said it was a national issue and the party will not make it an election issue.
Mission 44+ mainly depend upon how the party will get the support from Kashmir valley as even if the BJP will make a clean sweep in Jammu and Ladakh, still they will be 3 seats short in the 87 member house.
It is now being said that BJP will release manifesto after 4th phase, eyeing for 5th and last phase of election, when 20 constituencies, all in Jammu region, are going to polls on December 20.
CPI(M) and NPP are also making all out efforts to retain their seats won in 2008.
There are 175 candidates seeking mandate from these constituencies.
The NC, Congress and PDP have fielded candidates in all the constituencies while BJP is also contesting from all but one Handwara seat.
The highest 15 candidates are in the fray in Noorabad constituency followed by Reasi 14, Kupwara and Handwara 12 each, Mendhar and Langate 11 each, Gool Arnas, Udhampur, Poonch Haveli and Sarankote ten each, Lolab 9, Kulgam Home Shalibugh and Devsar 8 each, Lolab 9, Gulabgarh, Chenani and Karnah 7 each and Ramnagar 6.
(AGENCIES)
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