When you speak about democracy in Kashmir, it is more about who your father is than who you are. Take a look at the recently concluded state elections in Kashmir. Who became the chief minister (head of the state)? Omar Abdullah. Son of two time chief minister, Farooq Abdullah and the grandson of the founder of his party, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. This is the ruling party National Conference. It is not hard to imagine that the next leader of that party would be Omar's son.
Now let us talk about the main opposition, Peoples Democratic party (PDP), the main leader is Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Guess who is the next in command... his daughter Mehbooba Mufti. Who would be after that...someone from the family. Is this really democracy?
The real democracy is still a pipe dream for the people of kashmir. May be that is the reason for the mess we are in. whatever the elections are worth I think people should be voting for the person to head the state and not the party.
