Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 21: The results of the recently held District Development Council elections are all set to be declared on Tuesday.
The DDC polls were a litmus test for Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)—an amalgam of Kashmir based parties comprising of National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference and other parties. “Results of these elections will decide how politics will shape up in coming days in Jammu and Kashmir. If the PAGD wins good number of seats, it would set the tone and tenor for the forthcoming elections that would be held in J&K,” an analyst told Precious Kashmir.
He said that the DDC elections were not that big polls but these were important as these were maiden elections after the abrogation of Article 370. “Participation of people have made these polls very interesting. Many parties don’t know whom the people have voted for. The results of these elections are likely to throw many surprises,” the analyst added.
A politician said, “Participation of the people in the DDC polls is a hint that they want to become a part of the development process and are keen on getting their day to day issues resolved.”
He said, “People coming out to vote is a signal for the political parties that they will have to come forward with an agenda which is acceptable to the masses. These parties cannot keep on beating around the bush and whosoever wins will be left with no other option other than to deliver. Hollow promises won’t work.”
An analyst said, “ The DDC elections were just a beginning parties will face the real test in assembly elections after the delimitation exercise is completed. We can have a situation like Jammu versus Kashmir. There are many aspects which the Kashmir based politicians will have to consider in coming days.”
He said, “The results of the DDC elections will draw the battle lines between Kashmir and Jammu based parties. If the PAGD is able to keep the flock together then it can have some say in the future but if the constituents of the amalgam keep on locking-horns then there is every possibility about the PAGD crumbling under its own weight.”
During the election campaign it was evident that the parties that have got a strong foothold in Jammu were claiming that they will turn the tables on the Valley based parties but these parties seem to be unaware of the fact that there are many regions in Jammu where Kashmir based parties have been holding the fort for the past many years. “Results of the DDC elections will make the picture clearer. We will come to know who stands where after votes are counted. Political parties in Kashmir are anxious and are hoping that they don’t get jolted,” said an observer.
