JK News Today special
Srinagar, December 01:
Emboldened and encouraged by peaceful first phase of the DDC polls on Saturday , Kashmiris came out in larger numbers for the second phase on Tuesday guided and motivated by their inner sentiment of “ Panun Nafar” or our own person . That, when translated , means the candidates who are Kashmiris living among them in their neighborhoods . The underlying doctrine is that natives alone will take care of the natives.
By 1 p.m. , official figures suggested said 40 .31 per cent of polling had taken place across Jammu and Kashmir . The large turn out in Kupwara, Bandipore , Ganderbal ,Kulgam, Shopian and other places suggested that polling percentage would be higher than 41 percent that the Valley had recorded during the first phase on November 28.
Freezing temperatures instead of deterring the voters created a new warmth among them . They came out in larger numbers to beat the competition . “ Apna Bandha” became the sole motivating factor overriding all other considerations.
“ I am voting for the Apni Party,” said Yusuf Malik one of the voters in Ganderbal district . “ They are my people . All the members of my family eligible for voting have come with me , “ he added . This feeling spurred his neighbours to come out who are the traditional voters of National Conference, now a part of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration.
The voters were also choosing between the PAGD’s official candidates and rebels as per their proximity with the place and the candidate . Some have come out to vote for the independents as well, but the consideration remained unchanged.
“ We are not concerned which party – Apni Party or People’s Alliance – they ( candidates) are representing , our primary concern is that our person should win ,” said Irfan who was mobilizing voters to speed up to the polling booths.
