Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections Expected Post-Lok Sabha 2024: A Return to Democracy

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Jammu and Kashmir Set for Assembly Elections After Six Years of Central Rule

Team Finance Saathi

21/May/2024

Key Points:

Jammu and Kashmir to potentially hold assembly elections post-Lok Sabha 2024, following a Supreme Court directive.
BJP leaders celebrate high voter turnout in Kashmir, crediting the abrogation of Article 370.
Regional parties NC and PDP argue the turnout opposes the August 5, 2019 decision, highlighting ongoing political tensions.

Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has been without an elected government since 2018, is currently under the administration of the Centre’s appointee, Lieutenant Governor (L-G). In December last year, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct the Assembly polls in the Union Territory by September 2024. This directive has set the stage for possible assembly elections in the erstwhile state soon after the Lok Sabha 2024 elections.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar's signals suggest that the assembly elections might be scheduled shortly after the national elections, indicating a potential return to an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. This development is significant as the region has been under central administration for nearly six years, a period marked by considerable political and administrative changes.

Top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have lauded the ‘encouraging’ voter turnout in the Kashmir parliamentary seats, attributing this to the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. This move by the central government stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

However, leaders from the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – the two major regional parties – have contested the BJP’s narrative. They argue that the high voter turnout is a reaction against the central government's decision on August 5, 2019, to abrogate Article 370. This ongoing debate underscores the deep political divides and the complex sentiments within the region.

Interestingly, the BJP has not fielded candidates in any of the three parliamentary seats in Kashmir. One of these seats, Anantnag-Rajouri, is set to vote in the sixth phase on May 25. The strategic decisions and political maneuvers by the BJP and other parties reflect the nuanced electoral landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the delimitation process, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly now has 90 seats, an increase from the previous 87. The last assembly elections were held in November-December 2014, resulting in a coalition government formed by the PDP and BJP. The PDP won 28 seats, the BJP secured 25, and the NC won 15 seats. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the PDP leader, became the chief minister, and after his demise in January 2016, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti took over the role.

The political scenario changed drastically in June 2018 when the BJP withdrew its support from the PDP-led government, leading to the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. This marked the beginning of direct central administration in the region, which was further solidified by the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The anticipated assembly elections post-Lok Sabha 2024 signify a critical juncture for Jammu and Kashmir. It offers a possibility for restoring an elected government and addressing the governance vacuum that has existed since 2018. The elections will be closely watched, as they will not only decide the political leadership of the region but also reflect the public's response to the significant changes imposed by the central government over the past few years.

The BJP, NC, and PDP are expected to be key players in the upcoming elections. Each party will need to navigate the complex political sentiments and address the issues that matter most to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The abrogation of Article 370 remains a central topic of debate, influencing voter sentiments and political strategies.

As Jammu and Kashmir moves towards these crucial elections, the region's political future hangs in the balance. The assembly elections will be a test of democratic resilience and political adaptation in a landscape that has been significantly altered by central policies and regional aspirations. The outcome will not only shape the governance of Jammu and Kashmir but also signal the broader political currents in this strategically important region.

Also read : Punjab Villages Block BJP Campaign Amid Protests and Political Tensions

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Jammu and Kashmir Set for Assembly Elections After Six Years of Central Rule

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