Over to panchayat and ULB poll preparations

After the much exciting assembly polls, which saw the return of democracy after a long time and installation of an elected government, now the preparations have begun for the important panchayat and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections. The political parties have started gearing up and reactivating their cadres. The polls are expected early next year.

Despite the winter conditions the political parties do not want to lag behind in their preparations. National Conference (NC) wants the assembly polls related tempo going and reap more benefits. On the other hand the opposition parties in Kashmir valley which were almost decimated in assembly polls are intending to stage a comeback in their own way.

National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah, who played a crucial role in the  impressive victory of his party in the assembly polls, is back again to lead his party for the  panchayat and municipal elections. Addressing party leaders and workers, he asked them to make all necessary preparations. With Chief Minister Omar Abdullah busy with his government related work, Dr Farooq Abdullah will have to be active to ensure that his party does an impressive show like assembly polls in Kashmir and parts of Chenab valley and twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. NC may try to make inroads in the BJP’s stronghold in Jammu also.

The opposition parties in Kashmir too are busy in early preparations. To what extent they succeed to create an impact will be known later. The panchayat and ULB are usually fought on more local issues but the impact of assembly polls too will surely be there.

For better performance in the panchayat and ULB polls, the NC government will have to show a strong visibility also in its governance.

With whatever powers or resources at its disposal, the elected government will have to make its presence felt. This is important not only for its own political interests but also for the interests of the people and the democracy.

The gains made by the return of democracy can be further strengthened with the new government moving on its promised direction.

The roots of democracy can get further strong in the panchayat and ULB polls next year. The panchayat polls are likely to be held on non-party basis. Last time the NC and some other parties in Kashmir had boycotted the panchayat and municipal polls but later regretted their decisions. They had come under sever criticism for the boycott and were accused of sabotaging the democracy at the grassroots level. The BJP government at the centre kept on highlighting the holding of the panchayat and municipal polls and empowering the masses at grassroots level in decision making.

Unlike last time, the panchayat and municipal polls will be different this time due to the presence of strong NC in the fray. Opposition parties would try that ruling party should not sweep the elections like that of assembly polls. The preparations by PDP, People’s Conference, Awami Ittihad Party, Apni Party and Democratic Progressive Azad Party would get further momentum with the passage of time. On the other hand BJP also would like to maintain its dominance in its stronghold in Jammu.

Congress which had a pre-poll alliance partner in NC in assembly polls and is not in the government too would try to make its presence felt. Its performance in assembly polls in Jammu was very poor. It could win seats in Kashmir since it was an alliance partner to NC. Its critics say that the party could not have won even these seats if it had not formed the alliance with NC.  Omar Abdullah had openly expressed his displeasure over Congress not doing campaigning seriously in Jammu.

Congress not being part of J&K government is a matter of satisfaction for BJP. A minus Congress J&K government may lead to reduction of unnecessary confrontation with centre on various issues. The newly elected government would not like unnecessary confrontation with centre. NC knows that the support of New Delhi is very important for its government to deliver and move forward. With statehood restoration still awaited, the NC government has to walk a tightrope for some more time. It has to operate judiciously with maturity and high level of patience. Lack of patience and immaturity can prove problematic in its functioning.

Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir