In Southern Kashmir, many people preferred to stay away from the second phase of District Development Council (DDC) polls but those who voted stated that they have used their vote cautiously to choose best candidates.
People from different areas of South Kashmir ‘boycotted’ the DDC polls stating that participating in these elections won’t bring back Article 370, and its “better to stay away.” However, many others were seen enthusiastic in casting their votes on the pretext that they want best candidates to serve them.
Mudasir Nabi, a resident of Shadimarg belt of Pulwama district told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that when article 370 was abrogated, Central government even detained former Chief Ministers’ of J&K, so how can DDCs help in restoring special status.
He questioned that those parties who were voted to power in past to keep BJP out of power in J&K, later forged an alliance with them and that “how can we trust them now again.”
Zameer Ahmad, a resident of Kanji Ullar area Shopian said that whatever BJP decided to do, they did it and whatever they want, they can do it because those parties who were voted to power for 70 years in J&K with absolute majority did nothing for welfare of J&K.
Meanwhile, those who voted said that it is true that DDCs can’t restore “our special status but we must choose best candidates so that we can see development on ground at least.”
Shakeel Ahmad a voter from Shangus said that last time they boycotted Panchayat polls due to which most Sarpanches and BDCs are residents of Jammu and for a mere, a simple signature “We have to visit Jammu.”
He said that it better is to choose the best local candidate so that they won’t face such problems again.
Nazir Ahmad, another voter from Kulgam echoed the same voice and said that they must choose a candidate who has the ability to reach out to people at odd and even times and develop areas with community-based plans and avoid individual benefits. KNO