Bumper voting proof of new J&K: Ravinder Raina

Jammu, May 26:   Asserting that bumper voting during parliamentary elections for all five seats in the Union Territory (UT) was a “proof of new J&K”, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina Sunday hoped that the trend would be replicated in all the upcoming elections for assembly, ULBs and Panchayats.

Addressing a presser at the party office, Raina stated overwhelming participation of people in the electoral exercise, particularly in Kashmir, affirmed that the people favoured the democratic expression to give a vent to their feelings and elect the candidate of their choice to represent their voice in the Parliament.

“Jammu division areas always witnessed good voter turnout. It was heartening to see serpentine queues of people, particularly women and youth – first time voters, wholeheartedly participating in this democratic exercise, celebrating it as a festival, in the areas of Kashmir, which in the past witnessed voter turnout in single digit due to separatist and boycott politics. This was why Kashmir elections caught the attention of the whole world, which witnessed people (in Kashmir) expressing their will in a democratic manner using the most powerful weapon of vote and gleefully contributing their bit to the thriving Indian democracy,” Raina said.

He was accompanied by Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy Chief Minister and Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, general secretary, J&K BJP, during the presser.

“The world was amazed to see even those individuals and parties, which used to give poll boycott calls, participating in the elections with fervour. In fact, they were among the firsts to vote. This was a proof of the changing, new J&K under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will have an overbearing reflection on J&K politics in the years to come, defining the state of political affairs and its direction in J&K. We hope to witness this momentum in the upcoming elections as well,” Raina said.

In response to questions about assembly elections, Raina stated that BJP was fully geared-up for it. “In fact, the party wanted the conduct of assembly elections with the parliamentary polls. We were fully ready. But the Election Commission took its call that it was not possible to hold simultaneous parliamentary and assembly polls due to security and logistic issues. It had announced to hold assembly elections immediately after Lok Sabha polls and we’re in ready-mode,” he said.

“This bumper voting in 2024 has set a trend for upcoming assembly elections; Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies. I’m sure that this trend will be replicated, strengthening democracy. Whole world has watched that the areas in Kashmir, like Pulwama, Tral, Chadoora, Bijbehara, Anantnag, Dooru, Bandipora, Sopore, Shopian, Baramulla, Kulgam which had a track-record of very less voting, witnessed voter turnout over 40 and 50 percent,” J&K BJP president said.

He stated, “I believe people have voted in national interest. I hope that after the results are announced on June 4, all the victorious candidates and others who contested yet did not win mandate, would work for the welfare of J&K people so as to contribute to build a new, prosperous and developed J&K.”

With regard to a question about the allegations of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who contested from Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary seat that her party workers and leaders were detained or arrested by police on the polling day, Raina said that the Election Commission of India; Chief Electoral Officer and the civil and police officials during the election process addressed all the issues raised by the contesting candidates and the political parties.

"If she approaches the Election Commission with evidence in support of her allegations, the issues raised by her will be addressed. The country is run by law and the Constitution and not by emotions," he said.

Earlier, he stated that peace, prosperity and large-scale development in J&K under Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government resulted in bumper voting in Lok Sabha elections.

He thanked the voters of Jammu & Kashmir for the record voting in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Raina said that in the Jammu-Reasi parliamentary seat, more than 72 percent of votes were polled; Udhampur-Doda seat witnessed more than 68 percent voting; in Srinagar Parliamentary seat 40 percent voting was witnessed; Baramulla parliamentary seat witnessed near about 60 percent voting. Anantnag-Rajouri-Poonch parliamentary seat also witnessed bumper voting.

“BJP congratulates and appreciates the people of J&K for their enthusiastic participation," said Raina, and thanked the Department of Election Commission, government officials, Army, paramilitary forces, JKP, and all others for their role in ensuring a peaceful election in the whole region,” he said.

Raina said that 58 percent polling shattered the previous voting records in the region and this was the proof of new Jammu and Kashmir which was treading on the path of peace, prosperity, brotherhood, and development under the leadership of Modi. “This was proof that the government was able to create a sense of security in the hearts and minds of the local population,” he said.