This new politics of peace was, however, not the only reason why villagers of north Kashmir came out in droves today.

In the changed dynamics between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, their motivation to vote was also to join the race for development, improvement in the standards of daily life and local political sensitivities.

For example, in Rafiabad, where PDP’s Dilawar Mir is locked in a fierce contest with NC leader Mohammad Maqbool Mir, one poll issue is the the location of tehsil headquarters, a road link, repair of a drain.

In Sangrama, Deputy Chief Minister and PDP stalwart Muzaffar Hussain Beig’s nephew is fighting against Beig’s assassinated cabinet colleague Ghulam Nabi Lone’s 26-year-old son Shoaib Lone, who is openly supported by National Conference and is “informally” backed by the Congress.

Pattan is witnessing a division on sectarian lines as Shia clergyman Molvi Iftikhar Ansari is in a contest with Farooq Abdullah’s brother and NC leader Mustafa Kamal.

These polls have also seen a new trend of election violence. Hizbul posters asking for a poll boycott appeared in Pattan, in Sunni areas.

The Hizbul issued a statement denying these posters. The issue took an interesting turn when NC patron and former CM Farooq Abdullah blamed PDP for creating “fear psychosis” among voters by faking militant posters and publishing and distributing boycott pamphlets of Hurriyat hardline leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Pattan is a test case for the PDP vs NC rivalry. Both have fielded party heavyweights.

The Congress, ostensibly, is not fighting the polls, leaving the constituency to its coalition partner PDP. But on the ground, there are several cases of its leadership and workers supporting the NC.

... contd.