Modi's BJP-factor responsible for high voter turnout in valley, says political analysts

Srinagar: The massive turnout in first phase of polling in Kashmir is being attributed to BJP-factor and trend of high voter turnout is expected to continue in rest of the four phases of Assembly elections in the State.

About 70 % polling was witnessed in 1st phase of Assembly Elections across 15 constituencies spread in 7 districts of J&K yesterday.

The poll per centage in all five seats in Kashmir was on higher side. 77% polling was witnessed in Gurez, 70% in Bandipora, 80% in Sonawari, 76% in Kangan, 53 % in Ganderbal.

In 2008 Assembly polls, Gurez had witnessed 74.02% voting, Bandipora 57.07%, Sonawari 59.95%, Kangan 59.55 % and Ganderbal 51.77%.

“BJP is one of the factors that led to rise in polling per centage in the Valley,” said political analyst, Gul Mohammad Wani head of Institute of Kashmir Studies in University of Kashmir.

He said a fear has been created about BJP’s arrival in the Valley. “Although it has not been publicly displayed but a message has been send by political stakeholders about negative impact of BJP’s presence in the Valley”.

Wani said people voted in large numbers in first phase of polling in Kashmir to keep BJP out of political scene in Kashmir.

He said people in the Valley have rejected violence and taken to ballot. “There has been much talk about Article 370 during the poll campaign and people fear that if BJP makes in roads in Kashmir, then it may scrap the law, giving special status to J&K”.

Wani said other factors like political atmosphere, no militant violence and socio-economic-political conditions have also prompted high voter turnout.

He said the trend of high voter turnout in first phase will continue in remaining phases as well. “Except for few pockets in Srinagar, Sopore and Baramulla, the voter turnout will be on higher side this time,” added Wani.

Another political activist Noor Ahmad Baba too admitted that BJP was one of the factors that was responsible for high voter turnout in the Valley.

“BJP was trying to polarise the voters by playing divisive politics. Perhaps people voted in large numbers to keep the saffron party away from Kashmir,” he said.

He said few other issues including anti-incumbency factor, partly PDP wave in Valley and boycott call not effectively pursued by separatists also lead to rise in voter turnout.

“In fact impression was given that leaders, who call for boycott of elections want people to vote against BJP,” added Baba.

He said the same trend may continue in the coming phases as well.

A young voter, Mohammad Rafiq Bhat, who casted his vote at polling station Nadhihal (B) in Bandipora constituency yesterday said the people in the area came out in large numbers to vote to keep BJP away from Kashmir.

“We voted against BJP, which wants to create Hindu Raj in Kashmir,” he said.

Some voters in adjoining Sonawari constituency, where there was no BJP candidate, said people voted in large numbers to keep BJP away.

“I voted to elect my representative for the Assembly, who could fight the saffron party and its divisive politics,” he added.