Syed Ali Safvi
JAMMU, Dec 22: The 2008 assembly elections will be remembered for a host of reasons. Post 1996, it is the first election which has so far passed off peacefully, without any major untoward incident having taken place. In wake of the election boycott call given by the separatists, the voter turnout, particularly in the conflict-ridden valley of Kashmir, has been beyond expectations.
Three months ago no one would have thought in the wildest of dreams that the elections would attract so much enthusiasm. However, before jumping to conclusion, there are other aspects that cannot be brushed aside. Even those who braved relentless weather and kept waiting in long queues for hours together outside polling stations, reiterated that elections were for development and "Azaadi (freedom) runs through their veins".
The heavy turnout in six phases has taken all and sundry by surprise. Over 1,354 candidates, including 468 independent candidates and 67 women contestants threw their hat in the election ring for the 87-member House.
As many as 1,354 candidates, including 78 from Congress, 85 from National Conference (NC), 64 from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and 78 from People's Democratic Party (PDP) are in the fray. Total assets declared by the candidates in their affidavits filed before the respective returning officers, sum up to Rs 7,769,012,944. NC and PDP candidates are richer than their counterparts in BJP and Congress. Total assets of NC and PDP candidates amount to Rs 1,327,543,175 and Rs 1,612,462,702, respectively.
The average asset of a single PDP candidate is Rs 433, 815, as compared to the NC candidates at Rs 18,185,523. The Congress candidates at Rs 10,534,108 and BJP candidate with Rs 8,739,974 lag far behind.
NC, however, has more crorepati candidates (33), followed by PDP (18), Congress (17), and BJP (8). There are 322 total candidates with no declared assets.
Former minister for finance and senior PDP leader, Tariq Hameed Qarra is the richest candidate in the fray with total assets amounting to Rs 828,861,045, followed by J&K Awami National Conference (JKANC) candidate for Batamaloo assembly segment, Javed Mustafa Ashai (Rs 340,252,000), senior PDP vice-president and the party candidate from Pattan assembly segment, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari (Rs 214,095,000), Tariq Qarra's wife and PDP candidate from Idgah assembly segment, Asifa Tariq Qarra (Rs 142,131,045), independent candidate from Reasi assembly segment, Meenakshi Sharma (Rs 123,321,000), BJP candidate from Reasi assembly segment, Baldev Raj (Rs 113,100,000), NC candidate from Homeshalibugh assembly segment, Abdul Majeed (Rs 111,915,600), Congress candidate from Amirakadal assembly segment, Ahmreen Badar (Rs 111,000,000), former chief minister, NC patron and the party candidate from Hazratbal assembly segment, Farooq Abdullah (Rs 97,791,139), and JKDPN candidate from Habbakadal assembly segment, Jayant Kumar Shakdar (Rs 92,240,000).
PDP is riding high on young shoulders, with as many as 22 candidates below 35 years, in the fray. NC with18 candidates below 35 years, is at number two, followed by BJP and Congress with 15 each.
The 2008 assembly election has witnessed unprecedented women participation - not only as electors, but as candidates too - in the polls.
The number of women candidates in 2002 assembly elections was 29. In 2008, the number has doubled. In 1972, four women candidates were elected to the state legislature, which still remains a highest figure for women legislators in the state. The record, however, is likely to change this time. The fate of as many as 67 female contestants would be decided on December 28, 2008. PDP has shown a lot of trust on women candidates. The party fielded nine women contestants, followed by BJP (five), Congress (four), and NC (two). Will the fair sex fair well for the parties in polls is yet to be seen.
Like Bihar, J&K also has its share of candidates with criminal charges. There are as many as 27 candidates with criminal charges, including five from NC, four PDP, two BJP, and one of the Congress.
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