District polls in Kashmir illustrate that democracy is alive and well

Thanks to the state machinery functioning smoothly, backed up by steadfast support from the Centre, voter turnout was 51% with no allegations of rigging or fraud.

The eight-phase district development polls, conducted in Jammu & Kashmir, served notice that Indian democracy is alive and well.

The People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration – a conglomerate of seven parties including NC and PDP – gained a majority. The BJP, however, kept up their sweep in domestic polling by emerging as the single largest party by winning in or leading in 75 seats giving the party control of six seats in the Jammu region apart from the three seats in Kashmir. The alliance had won or was leading in 110 out of the 280 seats spread across 20 districts meaning that it will have control of nine councils, all in the Kashmir Valley.

Out of the 278 seats for which results have been declared by the J-K Election Commission so far, besides the PAGD and the BJP, Independent candidates have won 50, Congress 26, Apni Party 12, PDF and the National Panthers Party two each and the BSP one. It will not be tough to decode that the Independents hold the key to negotiations and will act as potential kingmakers in the state.

The results of the poll apart, what is of crucial importance is the fact that the elections, the first held in the Indian Union Territory, since Article 370 was scrapped by the Centre in August 2019, illustrate that democracy and the will of the people is alive and well in Kashmir despite declarations to the latter by select domestic cynics and groups among the international community.

State machinery functions smoothly

The people’s turnout was an inspiring 51% and there were no claims of fraud and rigging, underscoring the point that the state machinery functioned smoothly in the conduct of these polls.

The credit for these processes should go directly to the central government which has put into place effective mechanisms to ensure that the administrative machinery in J&K is functioning without a hitch. It has given the people a voice and a choice, despite the menace of cross-border terrorism being promoted by Pakistan, coupled with pressures from China, which have combined to affect development in the state and hijack the hearts and minds of the people. In the face of these twin hazards, the government of prime minister Narendra Modi has stood steadfast in its goals and never wavered from addressing the concerns of people.

The importance of these polls only drives home the fact that the district development councils will power the engines of progress with adequate funding from the government of Narendra Modi as well as the submission of resources at their disposal to empower the councils.

Day-to-day restrictions could be lifted

Restrictions are poised to be lifted and the return of day to day expectations like high-speed internet and mobile connectivity will create optimism and bolster the wellbeing of students, enable the upturn of business and give tourism a much needed shot in the arm. These basic necessities are all the more important to the people of J&K as India fights against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Democratic normalization is the operative word in J&K. These elections are a reflection of that and are a stepping stone to ensure that the assembly polls should not be too far away and with that the granting of statehood to a piece of paradise that is an integral part of India which is slowly, but surely, working towards finding a way back into the country’s mainstream.