Militancy infested Anantnag seat witnesses increase in contestants
ECI scrutinizing 65 complaints of MCC violations
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 10: Notwithstanding terror incidents in some parts of the State and apprehensions of Kashmir valley-based political parties about unfavourable atmosphere, there is no significant decline in the number of candidates contesting current Lok Sabha polls as compared 2014 General Elections. Interestingly, Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, which is known as militancy hot-bed, has witnessed increase in the contestants.
After every terror incident that took place during the past some months, different political parties particularly those having strong base in the Kashmir valley made statements that atmosphere was not conducive for holding General Elections and would keep politicians as well as people away from this democratic exercise.
However, their apprehensions have turned wrong as there is no significant decline in the number of politicians participating in the current polls as compared to the General Elections of 2014, which is a clear indication that they (contestants) want the democracy to flourish at any cost.
As per the data of the Election Commission of India, the number of candidates contesting current elections from Anantnag Parliamentary Constituency, which is considered as hot-bed of the militancy, has increased as compared to 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In 2014 General Elections, there were 13 contestants from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat including two Independents. However, during the current elections, 18 candidates including 10 Independents are in fray. Moreover, against one female candidate from this Lok Sabha seat in 2014, at present 2 females are trying their luck from this constituency.
As far as Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency is concerned, there were 16 contestants in 2014 General Elections but during the current polls 12 candidates are trying their luck. Similarly, 18 candidates had contested 2014 General Elections from Baramulla Lok Sabha seat but at present 14 contestants are trying to becoming Member of the Parliament.
As far as Jammu Parliamentary Constituency is concerned, the number of candidates contesting current polls is equivalent to 2014. Out of 24 candidates, who had tried their luck in 2014 polls from this Lok Sabha seat 12 were Independents while as out of 24 candidates contesting current polls 13 are Independents.
From Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency, 12 candidates including 5 Independents are contesting current polls while as in 2014 a total 22 candidates including 8 Independents had tried their luck.
“The decline in number of contestants from these constituencies is not significant but the increase in participation from Anantnag Lok Sabha seat is encouraging as the contestants have made it clear that terror incidents cannot deter them from participating in the major democratic exercise”, Independent observers said, adding “now it is to be seen how the voters respond on the days of polling particularly in the Parliamentary constituencies of Kashmir valley”.
It is pertinent to mention here that notification for Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency was issued by Election Commission of India today and the last date of filing nomination papers is April 18 as such data vis-a-vis number of contestants during the current polls as compared to 2014 General Elections is not available at present.
Meanwhile, Election Commission of India is scrutinizing 65 complaints of Model Code of Conduct violations, which have been received through cVIGIL App, which provides time stamped evidentiary proof of violation of Code as well as expenditure having live photo/video with auto location data.
These complaints were received by the Election Commission during the period between March 25, 2019 and April 7, 2019 from different forums. “Initial scrutiny is going on in respect of all these complaints and further necessary action would be decided only after completion of this exercise”, official sources said, adding “there is hardly any district of Jammu and Kashmir from where complaint(s) about violation of Model Code of Conduct have not been received by the Election Commission of India”.
They disclosed that most of these complaints are against the Government servants and majority of them pertain to non-removal of hoardings, non-implementation and non-compliance of order regarding transfer of local employees, campaigning by the Government employees in support of particular candidates and discrimination in providing security cover to the leaders of different political parties etc.
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