SRINAGAR: The Srinagar constituency of Jammu and Kashmir voted on Monday to choose its next representative to the Lok Sabha — the first election there since the general election of 2019.
And the voting figure broke all records. In absence of any boycott call from separatists or fear of violence, 38 per cent people came out to vote — a first in 35 years and highest since 1989. Srinagar had recorded 14 per cent polling in the last general election.
This was the first general election in the Kashmir Valley after Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood and the special status granted under the Constitution’s Article 370.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the people and attributed the unexpected turnout to the scrapping of Article 370.
“Would especially like to applaud the people of Srinagar Parliamentary constituency for the encouraging turnout, significantly better than before.
The abrogation of Article 370 has enabled the potential and aspirations of the people to find full expression. Happening at the grassroots level, it is great for the people of J&K, in particular the youth,” read his post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Pulwama district, which is part of the Srinagar seat, had recorded just one per cent polling in the last parliament election.kashmir life