The upcoming Jammu and Kashmir elections are set to be a landmark event in India’s political history, as they will be the first elections held after the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. The removal of this article, which granted special autonomy to the region, fundamentally altered the political and constitutional structure of Jammu and Kashmir, making these elections not only a test of the new legal framework but also a significant gauge of public sentiment in the region.
Before its revocation, Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a degree of autonomy that allowed it to have its own constitution and legislative powers, except in matters related to defense, communication, and foreign affairs. The central government’s decision to remove this autonomy and bifurcate the state into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—provoked widespread protests and political opposition within the region. As the first election since this dramatic constitutional change, the upcoming polls are seen as a vital measure of how well the Indian government’s actions have been received, and what lies ahead for the political future of the region.
The political arena is buzzing with activity as major parties gear up for a contest that will define the next phase of Jammu and Kashmir’s governance. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which played a leading role in the revocation of Article 370, is one of the major players in the election. The BJP views these elections as an opportunity to further consolidate its influence in the region and to prove that its decision to abrogate Article 370 has been beneficial for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is expected to pitch development, infrastructure, and security improvements as the primary gains of the post-Article 370 era.
Leading the BJP’s charge in the region is its national and regional leadership, with figures like Amit Shah, India’s Home Minister, and Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, playing pivotal roles in shaping the party’s strategy. Amit Shah has been vocal about the significance of these elections, often stating that the revocation of Article 370 has paved the way for peace, stability, and development in Jammu and Kashmir. In his speeches, Shah has emphasized that the people of the region are now entitled to the same rights as other citizens of India and that the BJP’s policies have brought about positive changes in terms of infrastructure and investments.
Jitendra Singh, who hails from the Jammu region, is another key figure in the BJP’s campaign. He has frequently highlighted that the region is witnessing unprecedented growth in terms of infrastructure and opportunities, and has framed the upcoming elections as a crucial juncture where the people of Jammu and Kashmir can endorse the new legal and administrative changes. Singh has argued that by removing the region’s special status, the government has laid the foundation for a more integrated and developed Jammu and Kashmir.
On the other hand, regional parties like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which have traditionally held significant sway in Jammu and Kashmir, are preparing for a fierce contest. Both parties are staunch critics of the revocation of Article 370 and have made it a central theme in their campaigns. Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference and a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has been particularly vocal in criticizing the BJP’s policies in the region. Abdullah has frequently described the removal of Article 370 as an attack on the identity and autonomy of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He and his party have vowed to continue their struggle to restore the region’s special status, arguing that the central government’s decision has led to political disempowerment and a loss of local control.
Similarly, Mehbooba Mufti, the president of the People’s Democratic Party and another former Chief Minister, has built her campaign around the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Mufti has accused the BJP of treating the region as a “laboratory for experiments” and has promised to fight for the rights of the people who, she says, have been deprived of their constitutional guarantees. In her speeches, Mufti has stressed that the identity of Jammu and Kashmir is under threat and that the people must reject the BJP’s attempts to erase the region’s distinct political and cultural heritage.
The contest between these two regional heavyweights and the BJP is further complicated by other smaller political players. The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP), led by Altaf Bukhari, is one such party that has emerged as a centrist force, advocating for a middle-ground approach. Unlike the NC and PDP, the JKAP has chosen to accept the post-Article 370 reality and is instead focusing on issues like governance, economic growth, and employment generation. Bukhari has positioned his party as a pragmatic alternative, one that does not dwell on the past but looks to the future with the aim of improving the day-to-day lives of the people.
With over 8 million registered voters expected to participate, the elections will also be a test of voter turnout and engagement. Historically, election turnout in Jammu and Kashmir has been varied, with significant differences between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley. In the current scenario, the BJP is expected to perform well in the Jammu region, where it has a strong base, while the Kashmir Valley remains more challenging terrain for the party due to the deep-rooted opposition to its policies, particularly the removal of Article 370.
In sum, these elections are not just a routine democratic exercise, but a referendum on the changes that have reshaped Jammu and Kashmir’s political and legal structure. For the BJP, a victory in these elections would be seen as a vindication of its decision to revoke Article 370 and a further consolidation of its power in the region. For the NC and PDP, however, the elections represent an opportunity to reassert the region’s autonomy and push back against what they see as the central government’s overreach. The results of this high-stakes contest will have far-reaching consequences, not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but for the broader narrative of India’s approach to regional autonomy and federalism.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
