Anatomy of the surge in Kashmir's voter turnout

Valley braves militant attack in Pahalgam amid growing political vacuum

- MERAJ BHAT

The only thing straight in Kashmir is the poplar tree." This quote from former national security advisor Brajesh Mishra is often invoked to describe the complex and tumultuous political situation in the Valley. Kashmir is again in the news. Though, this time, not for its political unrest, but for its high voter turnout in the Lok Sabha polls.

Srinagar and Baramulla constituencies, known for their abysmally low vote count, for the first time in decades saw a turnout of 38.49 per cent and 59.10 per cent, respectively.

Sopore in Baramulla district, which has seen incidents of separatist activity, recorded over 44 per cent voting. In South Kashmir's Pulwama and Shopian districts, where militant groups have long held sway, over 43 per cent and 47 per cent voting took place, a significant jump from just one per cent and above two per cent, respectively, in the 2019 general elections.

After Srinagar Baramulla, all eyes are now on the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, which is going to polls on May 25. Spread across the Pir Panjal range, the redrawn constituency after the delimitation process is where the BJP hopes for a win for the candidate it is supporting, Apni Party's Zafar Iqbal Manhas. He is up against Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP)'s Mehbooba Mufti and the National Conference's Mian Altaf.

The Valley, where poll boycott calls from militant groups and separatists used to be the order of the day, has seen high-decibel campaigning and is abuzz with election razzmatazz.