Srinagar: The political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir is about to get a dramatic makeover as the state gears up for its first assembly elections in a decade. With 909 candidates vying for 90 seats, the stage is set for a clash of ideologies, alliances and individual ambitions.
Meanwhile, a bevy of regional parties is contesting independently, each vying for their own niche within the political spectrum. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Mehbooba Mufti, the People’s Conference (PC) under Sajad Gani Lone, and the Apni Party, founded by Altaf Bukhari, have chosen to go solo.
The traditional powerhouse of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) has forged a pre-poll alliance with Congress to challenge the BJP’s ascendancy after the revocation of Article 370.
According to the political pundits, their alliance is a strategic manoeuvrer to consolidate anti-BJP sentiment, but it remains to be seen if this united front can overcome the BJP’s well-oiled machinery in the UT.
To exercise their right to contest the election, 1,127 candidates associated with different political parties and independents had deposited their papers to test their luck in the scheduled Assembly election but the nomination of 164 candidates were rejected due to several reasons while 54 withdrew their papers.
The air is thick with anticipation as the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir prepares to elect its representatives across three phases, starting on September 18. The first phase alone sees 219 candidates in the fray. Out of 280 candidates who had filed the papers to contest the assembly election on 24 assembly seats, nomination of 36 candidates was rejected while 25 more candidates dropped their plan to contest.
Not just established parties, a surge in independents too
In the first phase of a three-phase election in J&K, polling will done on 16 seats in the Kashmir division and eight seats in the Jammu division. The deadline for filing nominations for this phase was August 27.
The BJP, driven by its ambition to consolidate its foothold in the region, is pulling out all stops. The party is deploying its heavyweights – Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh – to woo voters across Kashmir and Jammu. Their campaign focuses on highlighting development projects, promising efficient governance, and emphasising national security – a strategy designed to appeal to diverse sections of the electorate.
The second phase slated for September 25 across 26 assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir will decide the fate of 240 candidates in the election fray. After finding some issues with the nomination papers of 62 candidates, the Election Commission rejected their candidature while 27 withdrew.
In the heart of the city, Habbakadal emerged as an assembly seat with the highest number of candidates i.e., 15, while Ganderbal district Kangan has the lowest number — six candidates — in the fray.
This election is a battle for hearts and minds, not just seats, in the assembly. The BJP is aiming for a decisive win, hoping to solidify its position in a region that has historically been a stronghold of regional parties. But the rise of independent candidates, along with the strategic moves by regional parties, suggests that the battle for Kashmir’s future will be hard-fought and unpredictable.
For the third phase of elections scheduled on October 1, encompassing over 40 assembly constituencies, 450 candidates are in the electoral fray.
The election is not just about established parties. A surge in independent candidates, including those backed by the Awami Ittehad Party, is a significant development. This surge reflects a growing disillusionment with traditional politics and a yearning for change, a voice that can’t be ignored.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is ensuring a fair and peaceful election process, urging eligible voters to participate in this democratic exercise. Security arrangements have been heightened across all three phases to maintain order and safety.
