J K News Today Commentary
Jammu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on Independence Day on Saturday about Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly elections was not aimed merely at the revival of the democratic institution but pressing for politics of accountability to replace that of power politics without accountability that had been bane of the erstwhile state of J&K.
This , in a way, is not a new dimension, but it was a reminder to the would-be contestants and the would be elected men and women to the Assembly that the days of politics of slogans diverting attention from the real- issues confronting the people were over. A new beginning would have to be made . There is now no room for the power politics sans accountability.
In the past over 70 years , Jammu and Kashmir , has suffered because candidates sought votes with unending promises of meeting the basic needs of the people. “ Sadak Bijli, Pani “ or road- connectivity- electricity – to light homes and run industries and water to quench thirst of the people and meeting the irrigation needs .
But once in power, they would embark on a journey of self-interests . Whenever people started raising and reminding them of their election promises , they were told that there is a paucity of funds , though that was not the case- or the easiest way was to divert their attention to the need to have a secure special status for J&K . Instead of addressing issues of the public, they sought them to rally behind the slogan-driven illusions .
The political slogans of dignity of the people were used to hijack their own poll-time promises of setting up schools, hospitals, colleges, industries and conducive atmosphere for the growth of young people to pursue their careers in a fruitful manner.
These things created a fertile ground for resentment among the youth. They felt deceived and landed in the irretrievable terrain of frustration . Pakistan utilised this frustration to its advantage and worked on it to cause troubles in the Valley. Its attempts failed , but it has not given up . That has made the things all the more complex.
Therefore, there is a need to redefine the meaning of the elections in J&K , and that’s what PM did .
It is for the political leaders and their parties to grasp the message if they want to make electoral exercise fruitful with a new commitment to deliver on promises . Public, too will have to ne cautious a and conscious to whom they vote and hold them accountable to their promise.
