People enthusiastic
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, October 29
The majority of people in Poonch and Rajouri districts might be identifying themselves with the people of Kashmir and their interests, but when it comes to the elections, they have a different opinion.

Unlike in Kashmir where quite a number of people are for boycotting the elections, in Rajouri and Poonch, people are enthusiastic about the polling.

With polling in seven Assembly segments in Poonch and Rajouri districts slated for November 17 and November 23, people here are eagerly waiting for the election day to cast their votes to elect their representatives.

Even as these people were subjected to “massive politics” months before the elections in “Amarnath Land issue” and “economic blockade”, these issues don’t impress the voters anymore and the buzzword here continues to be peace and development of the area.

“Religion and politics don’t go together. These are different things. We will vote for the candidate who will bring peace and development in our area and not for someone who tries to flare up communal or regional passions for his petty politics,” Nissar Ahmed Chowdhary of Darhal in Rajouri district said. “There is enthusiasm among the voters here and we want democratically elected government in the state that too at an earliest.”

Another voter Khalid Ahmed, a student of Degree College, Poonch, said: “I am voting for the first time. I am anxiously waiting for the day when the voting actually happens. We have many options so far as the candidates are concerned, but we will vote for a political leader who brings development on ground without indulging in making false promises before the elections and not fulfilling them after being elected.”

Senior Congress leader and one of the strong probable for his party mandate from Rajouri Assembly segment, Choudhary Qamar said he was hoping that people of Rajouri and Poonch would vote in good numbers to elect their representatives.