Srinagar, September 19 : Whether the Election Commission postpones the poll till early next year or holds it toward the end of November ninety per cent of the people seem to be unconcerned. However, it is “Azadi” fever in Kashmir and anti-poll fever in the Kashmir valley.
While asking Mohd.Ramzan, a trader in Srinagar, whether he wants the elections to be held as early as possible, he does not hesitate in saying “let the elections go to dogs. We want Azadi.” This slogan finds expression in a large number of people.
A fruit grower in Baramulla said, “We want free trade through the Jehlum valley road. We are not interested in elections,”. One politician belonging to a mainstream political party, who wishes to remain unidentified, says “If the elections are not postponed we cannot carry out even a semblance of pre-poll campaign. We dare not speak on the topic of election. We dare not muster voters support. He adds, “in such a situation how can you expect political leaders to campaign for their parties and the contesting candidate mustering voters support?”
Others have said that it is better to postpone the election instead of witnessing votersless polling booths which one witnessed during the 1989 Lok Sabha elections. They argue in favor of deferment on the plea that the situation may improve after the Jehlum valley road was thrown open for trade.
Contrary to this, people in the Jammu region are keen to see an elected Government installed. They are ready for participating in the election process, including the polling. Most of the mainstream political leaders are opposed to any postponement of the election on the plea that if the election was postponed it would again mean that the central Government continued to succumb under the pressure of Kashmiris.
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