Silver-lining of J&K poll

Here is an interesting unbiased news by Indo-Asian News Service on J&K poll;

With a 62 percent turnout, Jammu and Kashmir voters have already given democracy an absolute majority in the assembly polls this month and the last. But the verdict may be more fractured when it comes to any political party, feel observers, as everyone waits for the vote count on Sunday.

The regional National Conference patronised by former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and headed by his son Omar is hopeful of doing much better than in the 2002 elections when it got just 28 seats in the 87-member assembly.

"We shall hopefully surprise all pollsters. Our party has done better and we believe the people have returned us to power through these elections," Altaf Ahmad, former minister and senior National Conference leader, told IANS in Srinagar.

"We have also most likely improved on our score in the Jammu region where we had just nine seats in the 2002 elections," said Ahmad, who is the party's candidate from north Kashmir's Kangan constituency.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) headed by former chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, however, believes the large voter turnout in the Valley this time has gone in its favour.

"I am sure the voters came out to vote in such large numbers to keep the National Conference out of power," said a senior PDP leader.

The Congress party, which bagged five seats in the Valley in 2002, is hopeful of retaining its score in the region and maybe add to it. "We have done well in our voting segments and we shall at least get five seats from the Valley again," said a senior Congress leader.

As the National Conference, the PDP and the Congress engage in psychological battles before the results are declared on Sunday, the Jammu region could spring a bagful of surprises.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had bagged a lone seat in 2002, could surprise everybody by winning over 10 seats in the Jammu region this time. Its best so far has been eight seats in the 1996 elections.

"I am sure the party will not only bag a high number of seats this time but also play a major role in the formation of the next government in Jammu and Kashmir," state BJP chief Ashok Khajuria told IANS.

"I had inherited my family's culture of voting for the Congress, but this time I broke from that and voted for the BJP," said Shashi Ahuja, a resident of Mastgarh in Jammu's walled city.

The BJP became favourites in the Hindu majority areas of Jammu region after reports poured in that the PDP was winning in the Kashmir Valley and that both the Congress and the National Conference had been doing badly there.

"Jammu has to be saved from the onslaught of Kashmiri domination. The PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti's statements against the people of Jammu, particularly Hindus, whom she called fanatics during the Amarnath land row has angered residents," is the general refrain of people in Jammu. That could result in a resurgence of the BJP in the region.

The possibility of BJP gaining in a major way has already caused panic among the Congress cadres in Jammu.

"We are not on as strong a wicket as we had been earlier," admitted Ravinder Sharma, Congress party spokesman, who had earlier predicted a clear majority for the party in the polls.

The silver lining for the National Conference and the Congress in Jammu is that its Muslim majority areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda and parts of Udhampur districts are likely to throw up a mixed bag with the two parties winning most of the seats.

All arrangements are in place for the counting of votes for various constituencies to be held at district headquarters from 9 am on Sunday. The seven-phased assembly polls started November 17 and ended December 24.

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Be what the verdict may tomorrow be, the vital issue remains in mind of all of us in India and the Globe as well, is to see whether 'peace and tranquility', shall ably dawn there unto J&K !

BEST OF FUTURE

"Kya Khoya Kya Paya"

India is going to the General-Elections few months from now, perhaps historical being on the back drop of the historic US Presidential election, where people(especially the Gen-Next) swayed by the call, "CHANGE WE NEED", went out overwhelmingly to cast vote and thus fruitfully cherished seemingly unprecedented yet a historical dream to send to White House; their first Black and an African-American President, Mr.Barack Obama.

The entire Peace-Seeking civilized countries of the Globe, as they have, may be of late, but certainly, a welcome conviction, that the true Dawn of Peace and Civility can, and only can, descend unto the Globe, if and only if the same Dawns in India.

Hence thrust upon us the people of India, again like in the US, especially on our Gen- Next, this never before Blessed Call of Time, to arise, awake and join together to act decisively in the coming General Election.

Posted here today this post that refers to the 'historical post-election speech' of the then outgoing PM, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, being retrieved from; Shri LK Advaniji's Portal ;

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Dear All,

Today is our Beloved Shri Atalji's 85th BIRTH-DAY.

But he has wished not to celebrate his Birth-Day this 'Terror-Struck' year !

It would be timely for me to quote and put down today in this Forum of his most Trusted Lieutenant, Life-Long Companion Shri Advaniji who Shri Vajpayeeji himself declared to publicly, as his brother like LAXMAN, his May 13,2004 Post Election Speech;

May 13, 2004

New Delhi

Dear Countrymen,

Elections to the 14th Lok Sabha are over. The voters have given their verdict. I accept the verdict. This evening, I submitted my resignation to Respected Rashtrapatiji.

India is the world’s largest democracy. It is always with the will of the people that governments have been formed – and changed. This power of democracy is a matter of pride for our country, something which we must always cherish, preserve and further strengthen.

I thank all of you sincerely for giving me an opportunity to serve the nation as Prime Minister since March 1998. Your goodwill and affection were my greatest asset. Your support and trust were my greatest source of strength.

When you gave us the mandate, the nation was faced with the challenge of stability, good governance and development. It is for you – and history – to judge what we achieved during this period.

I do, however, have the satisfaction that our country is now stronger and more prosperous than when you placed the reigns of office in my hands. India’s strides in social and economic development during the past few years have announced her capability as well as resolve to emerge as a Developed Nation soon. My party and alliance may have lost, but India has won.

Friends, ours is a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation. However, in spite of her immense diversities, our national culture has woven an unbreakable thread of unity since antiquity. We tried to replicate this ethos of unity in diversity in running our coalition government. We strengthened Indian democracy by demonstrating that coalition governance can be stable, and also successfully deal with the challenges before the nation.We reinforced the bonds of national unity and social solidarity. We laid emphasis on resolving contentious issues through dialogue, in an atmosphere of peace and mutual goodwill.

Today, I especially thank the people of Jammu & Kashmir for once again reposing their faith in democracy and for giving a firm rebuff to the forces of militancy. India has shown its resolve and capability to overcome the challenge of cross-border terrorism. India has also embarked on a historic peace process with our neighbour. It will remain my lifelong wish to see that we herald a new chapter of peace, cooperation and friendship in South Asia, with the People’s Republic of China and with other nations in the world.

Dear Countrymen, we have given up office, but not our responsibility to serve the nation. We have lost an election, but not our determination. Victory and defeat are a part of life, which are to be viewed with equanimity.

We will always extend our hand of cooperation to the new government in all its endeavours that are in the interest of the nation and the people.

I thank you again for all your warm support.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.

Retrieved from Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Post Election Speech

We have to shed down all our inhibitions and resolve together to GIFT him on this year of his birth; his Life-Time Fruit of Cherishment as stated above, " I thank all of you sincerely for giving me an opportunity to serve the nation as Prime Minister since March 1998. Your goodwill and affection were my greatest asset. Your support and trust were my greatest source of strength".

This must be the best and the most aspired Mission for all our beloved Gen-Next and all our stalwarts.

'Let our house burn, but the mouse must die' attitude; wll only be Suicidal !

Let's all be aware !!

MERRY X-MAS !

BEST OF FUTURE

Atalji's "Kya Khoya Kya Paya":- SAMVEDNA:- Jagjit Singh

Today being our beloved Ex-PM of India, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayeeji's, 85th Birth-Day(DOB:Dec 25,1924), embedded this video and dedicated to the global web community !

With Prayers to Lord to Keep him in Good-Health, Grant Longer Life and Keep his, as usual, 'Invigorating Cup of Cheer', always Filled !

Merry X-Mas !

BEST OF FUTURE