The tough and unpredictable electoral battle has just begun
National Conference (NC) and Congress fought it out, friendly, for six long days, to decide the seat sharing arrangement under the pre-poll alliance. This also clearly shows that how important, crucial and tough are the ongoing assembly polls for the political parties. Important and tough not only for getting the political power, but also for their political survival in the dicey electoral arena.
This, despite the fact that assembly polls are being held for the first time with Jammu and Kashmir, a union territory and not a full fledged and powerful state like the past. And also after the majority of political parties having expressed their displeasure over the reduction of powers of an elected Chief Minister and empowering of the Lieutenant Governor on some important matters. The NC, PDP and Congress have been alleging that the way the powers of Chief Minister have been reduced by the central government, he or she will be more like the Chief Minister of a municipality.
However, they having said all this, the three major parties and also rest of parties in Jammu and Kashmir want to contest the elections with full strength and seriousness. The parties are not ready to leave any space for the opponents. They may criticise the central government’s series of decisions since August 5, 2019 but they feel proud to be part of the country’s democracy and tradition of free and fair polls. Major parties believe that free and fair elections make them relevant even in irrelevant situations, being created for them.
A hectic campaigning schedule will begin now after the filing of nomination papers by the candidates of all contesting parties and the independent candidates. But before that the traditional parties are keeping a close watch also on the scrutiny of nomination papers of the candidates on August 28, since some leaders of banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and jailed separatist leaders have filled their nomination papers as independent candidates, or on the ticket of some other parties.
This may not be a good news for NC-Congress alliance and the PDP even as they have welcomed it. These parties fear that if the leaders of JeI and other separatists are allowed to contest they can create a problem for them in polls. They in this connection refer to the massive victory of jailed Awami Ittihad Party (AIP) leader Er Rashid against NC Vice President Omar Abdullah in recent parliamentary polls in Baramulla constituency.
The former JeI leaders want to particularly contest in the assembly constituencies, which were earlier being considered as PDP bastion. However, NC too used to win seats from there. But it was widely being believed in political circles that JeI supporters vote for PDP. It is to be seen that what impact the independent candidates from banned JeI and other jailed separatists would be able to create if permitted to contest? Will they really create a tough situation for the PDP and NC-Congress combine candidates? Much will depend upon the mood of the big crop of new voters or those who would not vote in the past. Their participation will play a decisive role particularly in south Kashmir constituencies.
Prior to the finalisation of the lists of candidates for the first phase, several leaders resigned from PDP, Apni Party, and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) with a hope to get mandate in other parties. Even PDP also got back some of its leaders and access was denied to some others, who in past had bitterly criticised the policies of the party. While Congress and NC also welcomed several leaders from other parties but wanted to ensure that those who recently joined should not get a mandate.
Names of several leaders, who had recently joined BJP, from other parties did figure in the first list of party candidates. However, the list was withdrawn after strong protest by several Jammu based senior BJP leaders against they not figuring in the list and some other leaders getting a chance instead. Later, the party released the revised list and kept it confined to first phase of polls only to avoid further controversy. Next day the BJP issued another list of its candidates. The release of the first list, protest by seniors, withdrawal of the list and then release of the revised list indicate that BJP has to keep its flock together during elections if it has to win in Jammu. Disunity can be a new problem for the party in its stronghold amid reports of Congress increasing its influence.
NC and PDP are facing resentment by some of its leaders for not getting the mandate. They are contesting as independent candidates. NC has formally announced to field a number of senior leaders in various constituencies. Omar Abdullah, will contest from Ganderbal. Congress too is fielding some of its heavyweights.
DPAP, which almost remained invisible after the debacle of parliamentary polls, too showed its presence with the release of the list of some of its candidates. After the departure of some leaders there were reports of more people intending to leave the party. But DPAP with the release of list announced that it is very much in the electoral fray. Apni Party despite the resignation of its three senior leaders in recent past has been trying to be active on the electoral front.
According to party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari the party will contest 60 seats - 40 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu. Bukhari is himself contesting from Chanapora constituency in Srinagar. Despite its not a good performance in parliamentary polls, the Apni Party intends to give surprises at a few places this time. To what extent will all the political parties succeed in their efforts to win will be known on the election result day on October 4.
Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir
