Opposition Congress party wins power in Indian-administered Kashmir

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) grapples with a major setback in Kashmir, the results of the first election following the region’s loss of autonomy and statehood have raised numerous questions. What are your thoughts on how this loss might impact Modi and the BJP?

The election results revealed that the BJP was defeated by a coalition formed by the Indian National Congress and the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), which successfully came together to challenge Modi’s party. This alliance secured 48 seats, easily surpassing the BJP’s 29.

Given the historical context of Kashmir, a region that has been a hotspot of conflict between India and Pakistan since independence, how do you think the significance of this election is shaped by the past? Kashmir has endured three wars over territorial disputes and has been affected by a violent insurgency, largely supported by Pakistan, since the 1990s. This ongoing turmoil has resulted in substantial loss of life and prolonged instability.

Considering that local assembly elections had not been conducted in Kashmir for a decade, why do you believe these recent polls, held in phases since September, are deemed particularly crucial?

These elections are especially noteworthy as they are the first since the Modi administration revoked Article 370 in 2019, which previously granted Jammu and Kashmir a unique status. The BJP’s move to strip this autonomy was a key promise of Modi’s Hindu nationalist agenda, yet it faced intense backlash from many in Kashmir, who perceived it as an infringement on their identity and an attempt to alter the region’s demographics.

For many voters, this election represented a vital opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the Modi government’s actions over the last five years. Reported voter turnout was 64%, a significant figure given the region’s history of low participation in local elections often affected by boycotts.

One local student, Waqar Ahmad Wani, reflected on this sentiment: “In the last five years, the BJP has unleashed harsh treatment on Kashmiris. There was no liberty to speak out on anything; we hope that will change.” What do you think this reveals about the general mood among the local populace?

Omar Abdullah, the JKNC leader who is likely to take on the role of chief minister, remarked that “democracy has prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir after a long time,” and urged Modi to reconsider the decision on statehood. With Abdullah having faced imprisonment during the 2019 crackdown on political figures, how do you see the political landscape evolving with his party’s recent victory?

This outcome might signify a revitalization for the Congress party and the opposing INDIA alliance, following a strong showing in the June elections. The BJP, while losing ground in Kashmir, has maintained its influence in Haryana. Senior BJP leader Jitendra Singh claimed this was the party’s best performance yet, emphasizing their focus on development issues rather than religious or caste divisions.

However, it’s important to recognize that the central BJP government retains significant authority over Kashmir, despite the regional assembly’s reduced role. Kashmiri voter Abdul Majeed Malik expressed skepticism about any substantial changes stemming from the elections, yet felt relief that the BJP had been considerably constrained. His perspective underscores a desire for stable governance that can effectively mediate between local interests and the central government. What do you foresee for Kashmir politically and socially in the wake of these results?