In freezing Kashmir, poll buzz heats up

NT Correspondent

Srinagar: As winter sets in Jammu and Kashmir, the temperatures are heating on another front: Political activities. Regional and national political parties are reaching out to the people by organising a number of rallies in different parts of the region. Almost all major political parties have organised political rallies recently, even though there is no clarity as to when the assembly polls would be held in J&K.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah is presently on a visit to Chenab Valley, the strong Muslim belt in the Jammu region. NC sources say Omar will be attending more rallies in the region, and the trip is aimed to reach out to the people.

Recently, another former CM Mehbooba Mufti, chief of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), also attended rallies in Jammu and said Article 370 has to be returned by the center if the government wants peace.

Mufti is now trying to strengthen the base of her party ahead of polls. On Sunday, Mufti blamed BJP to create division among regional parties in J&K. “First they attacked PDP and created proxy parties here, which everyone knows. Then they created division within NC in Jammu and made those leaders directly join the BJP,” she said. “Now, it looks a division is happening in Congress... I think, BJP is behind it and they want to create two factions in the Congress and want to use them separately.”

The BJP, which has drawn blank in every assembly poll in Kashmir is also trying hard to woo people. BJP state chief Ravinder Raina traveled to Tangdar in remote Kupwara district where he said the party is committed to the development of border and remote areas. BJP leaders feel the time has come when the party can win seats from Muslim majority Kashmir. “Earlier our party couldn’t think of holding banners in Kashmir now our workers are active in every village,” said a BJP leader.