DDC election’s…The revival of electoral politics in Kashmir!!! Owais Ah Shah( The writer is rsuing PG in Pol.Science)
The election’s of DDC in Kashmir have marked a new beginning of electoral process in Kashmir.The abrogation of Article 370,35A & statehood in the year 2019 had left the erstwhile state of J&K in a terrible climate.The political mainstream was pulled down & a new environment of Bearaucrcy possible was created by the central Govt in J&K.It has taken around a year for Kashmir to get fully politically conscious & the regional parties have forged an alliance known as PAGD which is voicing a unanimous demand for restoration of Art 370,35A & statehood of J&K.The PAGD is at loggerheads with the central Govt as both parties are not agreeing with each other & central Govt is reluctant of the demands placed by the PAGD.The recent amendments to bolster Panchayti Raj act’s has included DDC & election’s for J&K have also been placed on the menu.The candidates placed by BJP are spread across Kashmir & in a bid to kick out it’s candidates,regional parties of Kashmir & alliance of PAGD have placed their candidates in the fray to fight BJP.
During the campaigning trails,the candidates of PAGD are vehemently addressing people to vote for PAGD & maintain dignity & honour of J&K.What’s fascinating in these election’s that young,educated youth are also in the fray fighting independently.People of Kashmir have never seen a febrile atmosphere of election’s as they are witnessing now.The poll record is also humongous & people are supporting candidates everywhere.The old & stodgy image of election’s fought by only politicians has shrugged off & a new image has sprouted up where the young generation find this platform a powerful vehicle to address public issue’s. These election’s are very important because the candidates who will emerge victorious will have a great role to play for the future politics in Kashmir.People are supporting this election to maintain dignity & honour of Kashmiri & also elect new faces who are supporting public cause & will carve out a space for political & public engagement.Kashmir is entering into a phase of new political stability where people will decide who to vote & why to vote.The politics of past is supplanted by the politics of present which will help Kashmir’s new growth of politics.
