Srinagar: Mainstream parties in Jammu and Kashmir have received a shot in the arm following the 71.28 per cent voting in the first phase of elections despite a boycott call by the militants.

Beating all previous records, the overwhelming turnout has meant that new goals will be set for all sides of the political spectrum to formulate strategies for the remaining four phases of polling.

The turnout of 71.28 per cent in 15 out of 87 constituencies of the state is a jump of more than 5 per cent over the figure of 64.9 per cent in 2008 state assembly elections. The valley alone has recorded a highest ever turnout of 71 per cent which is 11 per cent more in comparison to previous elections.

The electoral atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir after the culmination of first phase suggests that upcoming four phases of elections will be equally interesting.

The high turnout is being attributed to anti-incumbency factor and the total failure of previous government towards rescue, relief and rehabilitation in the aftermath of massive floods that hit the state on 7th September 2014.

While People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and (BJP) are seemingly taking full advantage of the anti-incumbency factor, the ruling National Conference (NC) and Congress have broken their alliance to shift the blame of failure on each other in an effort to damage control. Experts believe that in the changed scenario, both the parties will galvanise their efforts to bring their traditional voters to the booth.

Encouraged by the response, political parties will fight with nenewed vigour to take full advantage of the changed situation.

Even Prime Minster Narender Modi is likely to address a rally in Srinagar in the coming days. He is scheduled to campaign in the heart of Srinagar, where voters have shown total disinterest towards the electoral process in the past two and a half decades.

The local unit of BJP is overwhelmed and has termed the heavy turnout a direct fight between Prime Minster Narendar Modi and the rest. “People are going to vote for or against him. The turnout has shown that people want change and are therefore rallying behind PM,” BJP campaign committee member Hari Om said.

BJP has fielded candidates for almost all seats in the state, but is relying on the Jammu region, where it bagged all the three seats in recent parliamentary election.

Although the polling percentage in Jammu region is not much different from 2008 assembly elections, polarisation and consolidation of votes along regional and religious lines is likely to benefit BJP.

PDP too has termed the first phase polling as an indication of people’s desire for change. PDP spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar said, “People came out in large numbers only to punish NC and Congress through democratic means and both the parties will be big losers.”

State Congress president Saif-u-din Soz, while appreciating the enthusiasm of people, expressed his hope of performing well.

Incumbent Chief Minster and working president of NC Omar Abdullah in his tweet shortly after the culmination of first phase said that the reports of brisk polling in the valley were encouraging for him.

Experts believe the next phase of polling scheduled for 2nd December will be having even more surprising developments to offer.