New Delhi, Dec.2 (ANI): The second phase of polling for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has commenced today amid high security, and it is reflects the will of the people to pay scant heed to the terror strikes of the past few weeks to exercise their right to vote for their chosen candidate.
In the past few days, after the first phase, terrorists have made concerted attempts to disrupt elections and spread a feeling of fear among the people.
A brazen infiltration and suicide attack at Arnia in Jammu region, the grenade blast in Srinagar's Lal Chowk and the murder of a sarpanch of the National Conference in Shopian, besides terror-related poster campaigns, has not prevented the people from being steadfast about their desire to vote.
Led by the Indian Army, the security forces have left no stone unturned to contain the terrorist onslaught and to promote confidence in the public to fight the challenge and to vote fearlessly.
Several high-profile candidates, including Sajad Lone and four state ministers are in the fray in this round. Choudhary Mohammed Ramzan, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution is fighting the election from Handwara; Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare Minister is fighting from Noorabad; Mir Saifullah, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister from Kupwara and Aijaz Khan, Minister of State for Revenue from Gool Arnas.
Out of the 18 seats which will go to polls, the ruling National Conference had six seats in the outgoing assembly, Congress three, PDP four, JKNPP two, BJP one, CPI(M) one and one Independent. A total of 15.35 lakh people are eligible to vote in the 18 constituencies where 175 candidates are trying their luck.
Political bigwigs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh have addressed rallies in Kashmir.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is fighting the election with great confidence, has set an agenda to pursue 'Self Rule' as a framework for resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Effective governance to fight corruption; rebuilding the state economy and economic and social integration of the region around Jammu and Kashmir by setting up Regional Free Trade Area and common economic market form a part of its manifesto.
The BJP is sniping at the heels of PDP for a larger stake in accordance with its stated objective of 'Mission 44" (A complete majority in the state legislative assembly).
Its agenda is fighting corruption; removal of dynastic politics and development.
The party is ambivalent on the issue of abrogation of Article 370 on which it has advocated more debate at the grass roots level. The party released a vision document before this phase.
The National Conference has declared opposition to any sort of "tampering" with Article 370 of the Constitution, which grants special status to the state, and pressed for the reversal of "erosion" of the constitutional provision over the years.
The Congress agenda is equitable development of the three regions of the state; constitution of two fully empowered regional councils with separate development councils operating under the umbrella of regional councils (one for Chenab Valley and another for Pir Panjal Valley) and a review of cases of detainees not involved in grave offences.
The entire world is looking at the election which is a representation of democratic principles at their best and a manifestation of the courage of the people to stand up for their freedom despite great risk to their lives.
Even the Pakistan media has not found any reason to question the election process as it used to earlier. The free and fair manner in which the election process is progressing is yet another feather in the cap of the Indian democracy. (ANI)
Jaibans Singh is Editor www.defenceinfo.
