ANANTNAG, 30 September — Campaigning for the third phase of elections in Kashmir ended yesterday with nervous candidates addressing roadside rallies in a last ditch effort to lure voters.
More than three weeks of campaigning was largely confined to homes and offices of the candidates amid threats of violence by militants and as few people took interest in the elections. Voters say they do not believe the elections will make a difference in a region where almost everyone has lost a relative or a friend.
Arab News toured many constituencies in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kathua and Udhampur districts, which go to polls tomorrow to gauge the voters’ mood.
“We don’t trust anyone, the National Conference or the militants, they have all let us down,” a man from Dhamal Hajipura village, south of Srinagar, told Arab News.
Across a 150-km stretch covering 12 constituencies, no fliers, posters, flags or any other campaign materials were seen. There was absolutely no sign to suggest the districts were going to polls.
However, the situation was different in Hindu-dominated constituencies of Udhampur district.
People are of the opinion that “elections are not going to help in solving Kashmir’s problems.” A feeling of alienation was evident in abundance.
“We are afraid of every one — militants, the army and the renegades who are working as unofficial law enforcing agents at the behest of the government,” said Elahi Baksh of Phalagam.
“This is the reason why the public is not enthusiastic about the elections and no one is going to vote,” he added.
However, the state’s Tourism Minister Sakina Itto, the only woman minister in Kashmir, said she was expecting at least 50 percent polling in her constituency.
Sakina, the National Conference candidate from Noorabad constituency of Ananatnag who survived four attempts on her life in the past, was a bit nervous, but tried to put on a brave face.
“I’m not afraid. Let me tell you the time of death is fixed and it never comes untimely,” said 30-year-old Sakina. She said since she “has done good developmental work in the area”, she was sure people will come out to vote for her despite the threats from the militants.
Voters, however, have a different story to tell. They allege that no promises have been fulfilled by any of the politicians.
An eligible voter in Sakina’s constituency said, “Why should I vote? Who cares about us? These power-hungry people are interested in themselves. The lives of thousands who have died in the conflict hardly matters to them.”
He added: “Come and see for yourself how many people will vote on Tuesday.”
Many others exuded similar sentiments. A peculiar antipathy could be seen among the voters here. Shoakat Burkhart, a voter in Kulgam where Mehbooba Mufti, daughter of former union minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, is seeking election, said, “What are we going to get out of this election? Election is not our demand, and it can never replace our demand for a plebiscite.”
In Anantnag city, people were busy with their day-to-day activities and paid the slightest attention to campaign rallies. In nearby Tral constituency, the mood was not different. In Kulgam town, 45 km from Anantnag, torn-out posters and fliers were seen scattered on the road.
Political workers and candidates heaved a sigh of relief at the end of the campaigning. “It is great the campaigning has ended without major trouble on Sunday,” said Sheikh Abdul Rehman of the ruling party in Shopian.
Rehman said he would stay in a relative’s house until tomorrow fearing attacks by militants opposed to the polls.
Yusuf Tariqgami, the sitting MLA of Kulgam, said this phase of polling is very crucial and may see some large-scale violence. “In such a situation whom do you expect to come and canvass for his candidate?” he asked.
Most candidates blamed the threat by the militants for voters’ indifference.
But Abdul Ghani Bhat, chief of the main Kashmiri pro-independence alliance All Parties Hurriyat Conference, told Arab News that “the people of Kashmir have lost faith in all institutions Indian. A deep feeling of mistrust has taken root. All this has been compounded by the misrule of the National Conference government.”
“If you want prosperity you should vote against the NC,” said Abdul Aziz Mir, candidate for the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Of the 150 people who had come to listen Mir, many said they would vote for any party other than the ruling group.
But NC chief and junior Foreign Minister Omar Abdullah denies the allegations. “These are all propaganda of frustrated people who do not have a representative character. The people of Kashmir will give them a befitting reply and the National Conference will again come to power,” said Abdullah.
Security arrangements had been increased in south Kashmir after Saturday’s mine explosion seriously injured a woman candidate and killed four others. Police have reported attacks on candidates and political activists almost daily from the two volatile districts since campaigning began.
