any election is a triumph of democracy. in the case of J&K where the separatists had given a boycott call and the charged atmosphere that prevails in the valley all the time, the successful conduct of elections and the emergence of NC and INC as the likely power sharers is a pointer to the thriving of democracy there. if only they deliver!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kashmir depends on India as there is special spending for Kashmir in our Budget. Also the recent strikes in Mumbai is a result of the frustration within the seperatists as the election turnout was very high therby rejecting seperatism. It is in Kashmir's intrest to be with India and Kashmir will prosper if it continues to be with India. Kashmir is a major tourist spot and due to the seperatist movement the toursim industry was badly hit in the past months, this also is another reason why the election turnout was high. People risked their lives to vote and this clearly indicates that the seperatist can give them a country but no livelihood.
Kashmiri's know that Pakistan is not an option because it is a failed state, and going independent will sour relations with India which will affect the livelihood of majority of Kashmiri's who have trade ties with India.
Another reason is that people in POK are not at all happy and living under constant bullying of the Pakistani forces they only show that they are independent but they are actually decades behind Indian Kashmiris.

Dear Sir
So the IMPOSSIBLE is finally over.The J & K election is over.

Today I was looking at the PM and Mrs Sonis Gandhi's message saying to the nation that it is an education for the neighbours and it is a victory for the Democracy.

HOWEVER DIPLOMATIC AND HOWEVER CUNNING THAT ONE CAN BE- THE FACT IS CONGRESS IS ROUTED IN THE J&K ELECTION AND IT IS ONLY A COMBINATION WITH THE ABDULLAHS THAT THEY CAN SAVE THEIR PRESTIGE AT J&K, THAT IS ALL.

I WOULD ALSO REQUEST THE B.J.P. CENTRAL LEADERS THAT DO NOT JOIN YOUR HANDS WITH EITHER THE ABDULLAHS OR THE PDP, AS NONE OF THEM CAN BE TRUSTED.

INFACT BJP HAS EMERGED THE SINGLE LARGEST VICTORS. FROM ONLY ONE IN 2002 THEY HAVE NEARLY WON 11 SO FAR, AND THAT IS PHENOMENAL.

THANKS
REGARDS
SHYAMAL BHATTACHARJEE
BANGALORE

Its good to see the 61% voter turnout in j&k elections but hung assembly clearly shows the confusion in the minds of people there.Also huge gain for BJP shows that matter like amarnath land row in still much gainful for some non secular party like BJP.

It can not be said as a triumph of democarcy as such. Previously also Elections took place and democartic governments are formed.But even for the CM and governor the life has always been risky.Is there any CM on whose life attempt has not been made?.Even attempts are made to eliminate the previous CM GN Azad. For the people who do not know the value and worth of democracy and for those who want to take the world to 7th and 8th centuries AD what is the use of talking about Democracy,rights and Human Rights.Congress CM GN Azad has accused PDP with extraterritorial loyalties just three or four months back. The then Congress led coalition government has also fallen.Bargaining has already started with NC also. Now the leaders of those two national parties are talking about a possible alliance. Can this be a triumph of Democracy?

karavadi raghav

Elections in J & K are a great victory for democracy. the real heroes of this are the voters and the election commission. They deserve full credit for defying all the separatists and voting and the EC for ensuring total fair and free polls. This being such a sensitive state it is time nationalist parties like Congress and BJP got together and formed a joint Government. If not in the centre they can at least do in this sensitive state for the sake of the country. Parties like PDP are oppurtunistic and most untrustworthy. We should also use this event to show case to the world how vibrant and alive our democratic values are unlike our neighbours where free values, democracy etc are all bad words in POK. Everyone knows what a sham their elections are....

Be it the rising of BJP in Jammu(obvious due to Amarnath issue) or PDP in the valley. It is clear message sent to our non state neighbor that Indians stand united to fight against external forces and a strong message to politicans that people power is too big for their petty political divide.