Political rallies on rise in Jammu and Kashmir

After witnessing a fall in 2010 due to summer unrest in Kashmir Valley, political activities in Jammu and Kashmir are again showing signs of revival as about 1,800 political rallies were recorded.

Jammu: After witnessing a fall in 2010 due to the summer unrest in Kashmir Valley, political activities in Jammu and Kashmir are again showing signs of revival as about 1,800 political rallies were recorded in the state last year. The rallies, which define political atmosphere in the state, have fallen down by 50 per cent in 2010 as compared to the previous year.

As per a report on security and militancy, compiled by the state Home ministry upto November end, as many as 1,794 political rallies took place in 2012 as compared to 1,591 in 2010. As many as 1,646 rallies were held in 2011 in Jammu and Kashmir. The state has recorded a total of 31,384 political rallies during the past 22 years period of militancy in J&K. No political rally was held in J&K between 1990 to 1998 due to the eruption of militancy. The reason of an increase in the political rallies and political activity is due to peaceful environment and falling militancy in the state, senior officials said. Giving breakup of the rallies organised by various political parties during the past ten years in the state, NC tops the table with 9,094 rallies, 8,083 rallies by Congress, 7,843 rallies by PDP, 2,892 rallies by BJP, 1,197 rallies by JKNPP, 798 rallies by BSP and 436 rallies by CPI(M). However, in 2009, political rallies were far less than 2008`s figures of a record 6,783. As many as 3,021 political rallies were held in JK in 2009, the report reveals. Giving further details, it said that various political parties undertook 2,137 rallies in 2007 followed by 1,560 such rallies in 2006 and 1,781 in 2005. Similarly, 2004 witnessed 4,081 political rallies followed by 1,158 in 2003, 2,975 in 2002, 633 in 2001, 510 in 2000 and 1,600 in 1999. In 2012, upto November end, Congress has organised 479 political rallies followed by coalition partner National Conference (NC) with 515 rallies followed by opposition PDP and BJP with 509 and 167 political rallies respectively. Similarly, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) undertook 55 rallies followed by BSP with 22, CPI(M) with 15, Samajwadi Party with four, NCP with one, Peoples Democratic Front with seven rallies, People Conference with 20 rallies. In 2009, NC had organised the highest number of 895 rallies, followed by PDP with 764, Congress with 745, BJP with 336 and JKNPP 132 rallies. PTI