DURING the Amarnath land controversy, this area in Jammu saw the worst of the protests. Kuldeep Verma from Bishnah committed suicide over revocation of the order to transfer land to the shrine board and the BJP fielded his widow Shilpi in the elections hoping to cash in on the popular sentiment. All of the party’s top leadership lent their effort for the seat, including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. However, on polling day, Bishnah made it clear that what was on their mind was not the Amarnath row but local issues like road repair, proper irrigation and power supply.

“Religion is no criteria to cast vote,” said Jatinder Sharma, lined up outside a booth. “Development of the area and employment are the main considerations.”

Another voter, Ramesh Chander, hoped his candidate wouldn’t play the politics of religion. “There are many problems which we face. The vegetable mandi in the area is too small and for a long time we have been seeking that more land should be purchased for extending it,” he said, talking of the issues foremost on his mind.

Added Tarseem Lal, who owns an optical shop in Bishnah: “Although we took part in the Amarnath agitation, when it comes to voting, we have to elect a candidate who works for the development of the area. Mere sloganeering will not do it.”

Meanwhile, the 13 segments in Jammu district witnessed over 70 per cent voting, with no reports of any major violence.