After a decade, Jammu & Kashmir conducted its first assembly election as a Union Territory from 18 September to 1 October 2024, symbolising the peaceful embrace of democracy by the Kashmiri people after decades of militancy.
The polls were held after the bifurcation of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh on 5 August 2019, following the revocation of Article 370. The BJP claimed that the move was necessary to tackle separatism, enhance economic development and fully integrate the region into the country. Since 1989, the state has faced militancy, violence and a boycott of polls by separatist elements allegedly sponsored by Pakistan.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said, “The peaceful and participative elections are historic, wherein democracy is taking root more profoundly than ever before, driven by the will of the people of J & K.” Intense campaigning, peaceful polling and high voter turnout marked the polls. Those earlier afraid to go to the polling booth were allowed to vote peacefully. These were significant not only for political reasons but also because of developments such as the first Legislative Assembly elections in ten years, the abrogation of Article 370, and the restoration of democracy.
This time, people of Jammu and Kashmir were united in the demand to restore statehood, which the Centre had promised earlier. The higher voter turnout showed people’s desire for democracy. The people in the state were tired of gun fights and wanted to live a normal life. The CEC praised the people of the Union Territory, which recorded 58.46 per cent polling, the highest in 35 years.
These elections differed from the previous polls as the politics of this region are no longer limited to the four traditional political parties: NC, PDP, INC, and the BJP. The addition was the participation of separatist elements in these polls, which cannot be ignored as they were the people who called for boycotts in the past. Despite many poll issues like lack of development and unemployment, the people wanted a revival of statehood and a united Jammu and Kashmir. The other key issues were Article 370, law and order, terrorism, and socio-economic stability.
The delimitation panel gave Jammu six additional seats and Kashmir one. The Opposition held that the balance was tilted in favour of Hindumajority Jammu. Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes got nine reserved seats. Kashmir has been under the international scanner. A group of diplomats from several countries was taken to the state to observe the polls. They got first-hand information by visiting the state. There are several reasons for the peaceful polls this time. The first was the minimal involvement of Pakistan, as it had its internal problems to sort out.
India blames Pakistan for training, funding and pushing Islamist militants, targeting the Hindu-dominated Jammu area more than the Muslim-dominated Kashmir Valley. Pakistan denies the charges. Secondly, Kashmiris were tired of living in violent and disturbed situations. Two generations of children had lost their childhood. The security forces ensured a violence-free election. They also stifled the free movement of separatists. Thirdly, militants did not call for the boycott of elections this time. On the contrary, separatists themselves entered the poll fray. Many areas once known as terror hotbeds saw brisk polling. The militants probably realised they needed funds and patrons, which they lacked, so they decided to go through the election route.
BJP chief J.P.Nadda said people had rejected the bullets and chosen the ballot route. The election in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a multi-cornered fight for the 90 seats. The National Conference and Congress went for a coalition, while the BJP and PDP were other significant players. The BJP had high stakes but a weak political base in the Valley, while it is vital in Jammu. The party contested only 19 of the 47 seats in the Valley. The BJP is fighting through proxies. A BJP candidate admitted that the party would get support from Engineer Rashid, Sajad Lone, Altaf Bukhari, and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Kashmiri pundits are still afraid of returning home and the people in both Jammu and the Valley lament the downgrading of the state to two union territories.
There is still unemployment, and the narcotic trade to grapple with. The election results will be out on October 8. Reports say that the National Conference-Congress coalition has a clear edge. The BJP, which has no presence in the Valley, propped up some independents and hopes to do well in Jammu. The Centre should take credit for completing the election process, and so should the Election Commission. But the people of Jammu amd Kashmir deserve kudos for fearlessly going to the polling booth to vote. The only worry is whether they have voted for a stable government or a split verdict.
(With Agency Inputs)
