Elections, Alliances and Parties

The Election Commission’s announcement about the poll schedule had him on the edge of his seat. Minutes before the Chief Election Commissioner ( CEC) started his press briefing, he switched on his decrepit television set with its screen intermittently flickering to watch the announcement.

The 52-year-old trader, however, was left disappointed after the CEC refused to hold the concurrent Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections.

The trader does not support any particular political party. He is not a political aficionado either. He is simply fed up to the back teeth with the long-drawn-out bureaucratic rule and wants a local representative government.

“Only Lok Sabha polls…”, he said, pressing the off button of his television remote.

The trader’s disappointment not only mirrors the people’s desire to have their own elected government, but also their willingness to participate in the electoral process. The Lok Sabha polls will be a major electoral exercise in Jammu and Kashmir after the Central government put paid to the special constitutional position of the region.

Since 2019, the political landscape of the region has undergone a tremendous change with new political parties and alliances appearing on the scene with new political parties and alliances appearing on the scene.

Almost seven months after J&K lost its special constitutional status, Altar Bukhari launched his own party Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party ( JKAP) . This was followed by the Ghulam Nabi Azad led Democratic Progressive Azad Party ( DPAP).

On the other hand, the National Conference ( NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had already come together under the People’s Declaration for Gupkar Alliance (PAGD). Both the parties are also part of the national I.N.D.I.A Alliance.

Although the struggling PAGD is trying to survive, it continues to unsettle its political nemesis—BJP and its friends, if not proxies or allies.

The new parties are poised to fight against the old and established party’s like NC, PDP and Congress. The rumour mills are buzzing with the speculation that a third front is in the making with Kashmir headquartered party’s playing a crucial role.

JKAP, DPAP and Sajad Lone’s People’s Conference ( PC) are expected to come together to forge a third front and field candidates in all the five constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir. Whether this front, if formed, can make a dent only time will tell.

The re-mapping of territorial constituents following the delimitation process is also set to play a significant role in deciding the fate of candidates. The Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha will no more be a cake walk for the traditional players like NC and PDP. It can spring a surprise in case both the parties go solo in elections or make wrong candidate choices.

BJP, on its part, is extending its footprints in Kashmir. The party is organising a flurry of rallies across the Valley, making unceasing efforts to garner support.

Pre-2019, BJP’s presence in Kashmir was minimal. Although it is yet to create a strong voter base, the presence of its works and units is in all the districts.

BJP is intensely focussed on the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, exerting significant efforts to clinch a win from the Valley.

By every measure, the political landscape of J&K has shifted since 2019.