J&K goes to polls, Congress says it's time to re-establish democracy

The Congress party called on to the voters to participate in the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) and by-polls to local government institutions in Jammu and Kashmir in an aim to "re-establish" democracy in the Union Territory. Voting is being conducted in 43 constituencies in phase 1 of DSC elections. Nearly 39.69 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, as informed by the State Election Commission.

New Delhi: The voting for the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir District Development Council (DDC) and by-polls to local body institutions began on Saturday. As it is the first election in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370, the Congress party called the voters to participate in the voting process to "re-establish" democracy in the Union Territory.

As per the official details, voting is being conducted in 43 constituencies in phase 1 of DDC elections. Nearly 39.69 percent voter turnout has been recorded till 1 pm, as informed by the State Election Commission.

"During the tenure of UPA Government, there used to be a 76 percent voter turnout in elections. Democracy was flourishing. But since BJP Government came at power, there has been repeated attempts to weaken the democracy," said Pawan Khera, Congress spokesperson.

"Since the abrogation of Article 370, these are the first DDC elections happening there. Even then, the kind of statements are coming from Union Home Minister, by calling the opposition parties as anti-nationals, it won't help to strengthen the democracy. We hope that more and more people will participate in these elections to once again establish the tradition of democracy," he added.

Ahead of the polls, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had hit out at the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, calling it "anti-national" and alleging that the Gupkar ''gang'' wants "foreign forces to intervene in Jammu and Kashmir".

He even questioned the Congress party to clear its stands if it is a part of Gupkar Alliance or not. However, a statement of Congress General Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala was released, later on, stating that Congress is not a part of Gupkar Alliance but it will contest DDC elections in J&K.

Taking a dig at Shah, Pawan Khera said, "When his own party get along with Gupkar Alliance in Kargil, then they are not anti-national? When they form a Government with PDP in Jammu and Kashmir, then PDP wasn't an anti-national party? Therefore, the Union Home Minister should speak responsibly."

The Central Government abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Since then, Congress has remained ambivalent on the demand to restore Article 370. Home Minister's remarks on Congress has been seen as an attempt to push the grand old party to the wall and force it to take a clear stand on Gupkar, who are seeking the restoration of Article 370 and 35A.

Meanwhile, BJP itself is sharing power with the National Conference, which is one of the main parties in Gupkar Alliance, in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil.