Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

J&K elections

The election process in Jammu & Kashmir is turning out to be a watershed in the State’s troubled history. Although only two phases of the Assembly elections have been completed, the fairly large voter turnout seen so far has lent legitimacy to the democratic exercise and shamed the indifferent educated voter of urban India. We must salute the brave people of Kashmir who have sent out a loud and clear message — that the guns need to be silenced forever. The outcome hardly matters; the process itself is the message.

Leaders cutting across party lines should sink their differences to form an all-party rainbow coalition which will be a fitting tribute to the brave and peace-starved electorate of the State.

V.N. Mukundarajan,

Thiruvananthapuram

The high voter turnout in the first and second rounds of the Assembly elections, notwithstanding the boycott call by separatists and the extremely bad weather, shows that the people of Kashmir have full faith in the democratic process. Obviously, separatists do not represent the people of the State.

The media and New Delhi should stop giving undue importance to separatist leaders who have become an inevitable part of television debates and official negotiations on Kashmir.

M.C. Joshi,

Lucknow

The party or alliance that comes to power in Jammu and Kashmir should live up to the expectations of the people who have demonstrated their faith in democracy, defying boycott calls and adverse weather conditions.

The huge turnout in the first and second phase of polls reflects not only people’s courage but also their belief that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

P.U. Krishnan,

Udhagamandalam

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