Jagdish R Sharma
The election process has been moving at a spirited pace in the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory since its announcement. Dice have been cast and astute moves are being made to knock out the rivals at the hustings
This time around assembly elections have become exceptional in many terms. What has made the Jammu Kashmir Assembly elections unique this time? Why the traditional political parties are in do-or-die situations? Why are they in the dilemma of now or never? Can budding politicians find their place in the future politics of Jammu Kashmir?
All the answers are shrouded in the depth of time. The consequent weeks might be interesting, as the successive events may begin to unravel the real intent of the political players and the electorates. Though politics is a game of opportunities, even then there are many ifs and buts in it.
In the pursuit of power, the traditional regional parties, who are accusing each other of aligning with the BJP have trucked with the BJP to enjoy power at one point of time. NC was once the partner of NDA under the regime of Atal Behari Vajpayee and PDP had partnered with BJP to run coalition Govt in the last JK assembly. In the process, all politicians are blaming each other and telling themselves well, it’s like a proverbial idiom ‘the pot calling the kettle black. ‘From the perspective of Indian politics today, there are no untouchables in politics. They might have done what was best at that time. Moreover, it is the law of nature, those adapting to changed circumstances exist and those who don’t perish. This is what INDI alliance partners are doing today. Coming together to stay relevant.In politics, the North and South have no hesitation to meet. They only make the public poles apart.
Why these elections are exceptional
There are various reasons why these elections are exceptional. This time, the elections are crucial and exceptional in the sense they are held first after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35 A. All earlier assembly elections were held while Article 370 was enforced and were held under two flags; the Indian flag and the Jammu Kashmir flag and twin constitutions, Indian and JK . The State flag of Jammu and Kashmir was a symbol used in the former Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir between 1952 and 2019. It was a red-and-white flag with a representation of a plough and three constituent regions of the state.
On 5 August 2019, the President of India issued a presidential order, namely, The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) making all the provisions of the Constitution of India applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir and this has rendered the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir infructuous from that date. Now the Constitution of India applies to Jammu and Kashmir, like all other states and union territories of India.
These elections are being held following the 2022 delimitation exercise and the evolving political landscape over the past five years. The upcoming Assembly election could be more significant than ever due to the extensive changes in constituencies and changing political kaleidoscope.
No shadow of Separatists this time
Founded nearly three decades ago, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference finds itself at a crossroads. The reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union territory in August 2019, and the arrest and imprisonment of several Hurriyat leaders in the lead-up to it, have politically marginalised the once-powerful umbrella body of separatists. Chances of a revival appear rather slim since several of its key members are either dead or facing long prison terms. The Hurriyat conference at this stage seems to have little or no impact on the elections. In other words, since its existence, the Hurriyat has influenced the elections in the Kashmir valley. These elections are being held without dictates from separatists leaders.
Awami Ittehad Party
Significantly the Awami Ittehad Party led by its jailed president Engineer Rashid has been upbeat since its recent Lok Sabha election 2024 victory from Kashmir’s Baramulla seat. It has reasons to be upbeat and elated as Jailed Engineer Rashid defeated former chief minister Omar Abdullah with a formidable margin of more than 2 lakh votes in the parliamentary elections on Baramulla seat. This might have sent a shocking waves to traditional leaders in valley.
Awami Ittehad Party is now repeating the same experiment in the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections hoping to throw up a second surprise and create a special niche among the major players of the valley. It has decided to field a total of 52 candidates in Kashmir and Jammu seats.
Formidable Independents
Though in the name of the INDI Alliance, the NC and Congress have decided to contest the polls together to take on the BJP, most of the INDI alliance partners are contesting against each other. For instance, SP, AAP, and PDP which are constituents of INDI Alliance are in the fray. Many former leaders of Congress and NC are pitted against the alliance partners as Independents.
This has shaken the confidence of Omar Abdullah, as he is repeatedly accusing the central government of its larger conspiracy to silence him. Amazing, to fight elections is also a conspiracy! The spirit of healthy democracy implies a larger participation in the process of elections. The Boycott culture has vanished now, upon which few politicians used to win and claim to represent the people.
Time and again it has been proved that the masses are supreme in democracy.
While filing his nomination from the Ganderbal constituency for the upcoming assembly polls, Omar was seen removing his skull cap and asking for the people’s support. “Today, I will say only one thing – my turban, my honour, and this cap are in your hands,” Omar said. Omar Abdullah who had earlier announced that he wouldn’t contest assembly elections, also filed his nomination from a second constituency. Now apart from the family bastion of Ganderbal, Omar will be contesting from Budgam in Central Kashmir. In 2014, Omar contested and won from the Beerwah Assembly seat adjoining Budgam.
No hartal or boycott call this time
It may sound amazing, that after three decades elections are going to be held without the lurking fear of guns and stone peltings. No hartal or shutdown call has been given instead several independents are in the fray and are likely to shake the confidence of the traditional power centres of the erstwhile State. This is in a sense good sign of healthy democracy.
Overall security scenarios
One may admit that the fact, that the people want free and fair elections with holistic participation. People do want to elect their people to rule. Tourism has also seen an unprecedented boost in Jammu Kashmir beating all its previous records. Developmental works are also visible on the ground. Violence has ebbed now.70 percent decline has been reported since 2019.
Moreover, these elections gained significance given the fact that the NDA Govt headed by Modi has assumed office for the third consecutive term and he is keen to see the Jammu Kashmir on the path of development. Though the political parties may be raising a volley of the statehood, the Modi Govt has already declared from the floor of the house that after elections, Statehood would be granted. This has been a nonissue now.
First Time voters; This is also the first time that West Pakistani refugees, alongside members of the Valmiki Samaj, will have the opportunity to vote in assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Historically, the community — primarily consisting of Hindus and Sikhs who migrated from Pakistan in 1947 — had only been eligible to vote in Lok Sabha elections until the recent changes in their status.
In 2020, they participated in the District Development Council elections for the first time. The community has described it as a “joyous moment.”
The Gorkha community, originally settled from Nepal and settled in Jammu Kashmir to assist the Dogra army, now enjoys voting rights in both general and assembly elections — a status denied to them before the abrogation of Article 370. Women have also been given rights even after marrying outside the State.
Fall out of freebies
Voters have also understood the free promises by political parties as they have come to know that Himachal Pradesh which had promised freebies is now struggling hard to settle its wage bill. Salaried and pensioners are at the receiving end as they are not getting it in time.
The same pecuniary crisis has been reported in the media from Punjab, once a wealthy state, in Karnataka. Earlier Pakistan used to affect elections, this time due to its distressed pecuniary condition and separatist movements in Balochistan, it is not able to influence it up to that level.
As the election draws near, several parties, are facing internal rebellions. Leaders have shifted allegiances due to being denied a ticket.
NC and Congress who are jointly contesting elections have publically announced their desire to have talks with Pakistan, doing away with NSA, statehood etc. They have been responded to by BJP prominent leaders. The stand of all political stakeholders on a host of issues remains more or less the same as already in the public domain.
Batting from the BJP side, UP Chief Minister questioned whether Congress supports reinstating an era of terrorism and unrest by allowing the family members of those involved in terrorism and stone-pelting incidents to return to government positions.
He further asked, “Does Congress endorse the National Conference’s promise to deny reservation rights to Dalits, Gujjars, Bakarwals, and Paharis? Does Congress want ‘Shankaracharya Parvat’ to be renamed ‘Takht-e-Suleiman’ and ‘Hari Parvat’ to be called ‘Koh-e-Maran’?”
Amit Shah while releasing a BJP manifesto has declared that a 70 per cent declines in violence has been recorded since 2019. While addressing workers of the party, he apprehended that “If NC-Congress returns to power, consider that as a revival of terrorism. Jammu and Kashmir, especially Jammu has to decide whether they want terrorism or peace and development… Nobody dares to infiltrate when there is the BJP,” Shah said.
What voters expect from political parties?
Having faced the brunt of terrorism and unrest for three decades, the people are in a sense fed up with the violence, they have a desire for a lasting peace.
So the voters have been provided with the authority and responsibility to elect:
Those who can bring lasting peace and tranquillity to Jammu Kashmir.Those who can do the developmental work with a holistic approach. Those who can work for the self-respect of all the stakeholders. Those who can give justice and opportunity to all irrespective of caste, creed, sex and religion.
Every citizen of Jammu Kashmir desires to have a secure future, a developed, fear-free and self esteemed State. For this, they would also like to reject those forces which may be detrimental to the peace and development of both regions. Voters need to be aware and cautious about the forces bent upon creating a wedge between regions and communities and those following the separatists’ agenda. A peaceful Jammu Kashmir is the solution to all our problems. The sustained peace can only vouch for our development. Voters are kings in a democracy only for one day, while elected remain for five years. King makers need to be careful and judicious while electing. Once they used their mandate, they give power to anyone to decide their fate for five years.
(The author is formerly Principal JK Education Department)
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