Return and victory of democracy

Nearing its end now, the year  2024 saw the return and victory of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The year was full of action and surprises politically. After 10 long years assembly polls were held and  an elected government formed. Few months before the assembly elections, the parliamentary polls were also conducted here like in  the other parts of the country. Both the elections witnessed large scale involvement by political parties and people and excitement and record poll percentage.  The election authorities and other concerned government machinery ensured free and fair polls.

All parties-the major and smaller-actively participated and tried to put their best. But then somebody has to win and somebody lose. Both the elections were full of surprises. The biggest surprise in the parliament polls was the defeat of Omar Abdullah from North Kashmir constituency. The jailed Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) Chief Er. Rashid defeated him. The defeat created an impression that the oldest political party in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference (NC) may suffer similar setbacks in assembly polls as well. The confidence of the party was not also high. This encouraged those, who were keen to introduce more new players into the electoral fray to completely sideline the traditional political parties of Kashmir so that they are not in a position to win assembly polls. So far as PDP is concerned , its President Mehbooba Mufti too lost from Anantnag - Rajouri parliamentary constituency . It was rightly being predicted that her party would not get the seats it used to bag in previous assembly elections. So all eyes were on NC.

On its part BJP was very much sure to form the government with the support of like-minded parties in Kashmir. Its rivals alleged that some of the measures taken through delimitation were in the favour of saffron party. While BJP swept the polls in its stronghold in Jammu, its like-minded parties were wiped out by the night NC in Kashmir. NC's arch rival , PDP, met almost the same fate as it could win only three seats. People's Conference President Sajad Gani Lone also won.

By winning seats not only in Kashmir but also in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch and Chenab Valley,  NC got majority  with the support of few independent MLAs. Congress, which was a pre- poll alliance partner to NC, also extended its support without joining the government. CPI (M) too is supporting the government.

Hardly anybody had visualised such election results. Even the political parties and observers  were expecting a hung assembly.  NC was not sure about its impressive performance.

Omar's loss in parliamentary polls and subsequent over-confidence by those wanting to prevent the traditional parties from forming the government, finally helped NC in assembly polls. Observers say that the voters in Kashmir, Rajouri, Poonch and Chenab Valley areas got suspicious about the entry of more and more new players in the  electoral fray. Er Rashid was released for campaigning in assembly polls, but  his party could win only one seat.

Political observers give credit to NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah for bringing back his  party to the position of dominance after decades. He raised the morale of his cadres after the defeat of Omar in Lok Sabha polls. The loss had demoralised even Omar and he was reluctant to fight assembly polls. Besides his loss, the senior NC leader had some reasons also for not contesting. He said he would not contest till Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory. He used to  say,"If I become the Chief Minister I will have to go to Lieutenant Governor (LG) even  the for appointment of a peon." But Dr Farooq Abdullah persuaded him and he contested and won from both the constituencies, Ganderbal and Budgam.

Getting back the statehood status for Jammu and Kashmir in 2025 is important for NC. In fact the ruling party is making all efforts in this direction but the ball lies in the court of Central Government. Central Government leadership has been saying that the statehood will be restored at an appropriate time. The more delay in this direction, more problems for the NC government. People want the elected government to keep its promises. Reviewing the reservation policy was also a promise made by NC in its election manifesto.

Much to the discomfort of the NC, its  Member of Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi led a joint protest of students and leaders of various political parties outside the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on December 23. Reports said the protest was held in support of the demand for the rationalisation of the reservation policy. Students' representatives later also met the Chief Minister, who assured them that a solution will be found out within six months.

NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar described the protest as "Drama Baazi" and said his party was not part of it. He alleged that the protest was an attempt  to bring back  the opposition leaders, rejected by people in elections, into limelight. He said there was no need for the protest and that Ruhullah by inviting opposition leaders for the protest got trapped by them. Salman said NC is a strong party and does not get affected by such small things.