Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 20th September. The upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir mark a critical moment for the region, occurring nearly a decade after its last polls and under drastically transformed political circumstances. At the heart of the electoral discourse lies the contentious issue of Article 370, the provision that once granted the region special autonomy before it was revoked by the Modi government in 2019. Recent statements by Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, have further stirred the political landscape, as he declared that Pakistan shares a common ideological ground with the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance in their mission to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. As this alignment adds a new dimension to the already complex electoral narrative, the region is now poised at a crossroads, where questions of autonomy, national security, and development dominate the political conversation.
The Controversy Surrounding Article 370 and 35A
Article 370 and its accompanying provision, Article 35A, were historically the cornerstones of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status within the Bharatiya Union. They provided the state with autonomy, particularly in areas like land ownership and job opportunities, allowing the local government to exert significant control over its affairs. When these provisions were revoked in August 2019, it marked a seismic shift in Kashmir’s political landscape. The Bharatiya government argued that the move was necessary to integrate Jammu and Kashmir more fully into Bharat, ensuring economic development and ending decades of separatist violence. However, this decision was met with fierce opposition from many Kashmiris and political groups like the NC and Congress, who saw it as an infringement on the region’s rights and identity.
The revocation of Article 370 was upheld by the Supreme Court of India, and the BJP has since promoted the benefits of this change, pointing to increased tourism, development, and enhanced security in the region. Nevertheless, the NC and Congress have remained vocal about their intention to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and its special status, capitalizing on voter discontent in certain segments of the population.
Pakistan’s Role and Khawaja Asif’s Statements
The involvement of Pakistan in Kashmir’s political affairs is neither new nor surprising, given its historical claims and interests in the region. What is significant, however, is the open acknowledgment by Pakistan’s Defence Minister of ideological alignment with the NC-Congress alliance. Khawaja Asif’s assertion that both Pakistan and these Bharatiya political parties share a commitment to reinstating Article 370 has sparked controversy within Bharat. By aligning itself with the NC-Congress alliance, Pakistan is attempting to frame the electoral contest in Kashmir as a struggle over autonomy and identity, casting Bharat’s ruling party, the BJP, as the antagonist in this narrative.
This ideological alignment raises several concerns for Bharat. It positions the NC-Congress alliance as susceptible to accusations of being sympathetic to Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir, which could potentially alienate voters who support Bharat’s territorial integrity and oppose any form of foreign interference. The BJP, already a vocal critic of the NC-Congress alliance, is likely to use this alignment to paint its political opponents as being soft on terrorism and separatism—issues that have long plagued the region.
Congress and NC’s Political Calculus
For the Congress and NC, the elections are an opportunity to rebuild their influence in a region where they have historically held significant sway. Congress leader Pawan Khera’s recent comments about restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir resonate with a portion of the electorate who feel disenfranchised by the BJP’s policies. Khera also emphasized the Congress party’s track record of fulfilling promises in other states, suggesting that voters in Jammu and Kashmir could expect the same commitment to restoring their rights.
The alliance between Congress and NC is strategic, aimed at consolidating votes in the Kashmir Valley, where resentment toward the BJP and its handling of Article 370 remains strong. Under the current agreement, NC will contest 51 seats, Congress will vie for 32 seats, and five constituencies will see friendly contests between the two parties. Their joint manifesto focuses on restoring statehood and addressing economic and developmental challenges, while maintaining a critical stance toward the BJP’s centralization of power.
The BJP’s Developmental Narrative and Regional Opposition
The BJP, which played a central role in revoking Article 370, is keen on maintaining its stance that the move has benefited Jammu and Kashmir. The party argues that the region has seen an unprecedented era of development, with a significant rise in tourism and security improvements. BJP leaders highlight these achievements as evidence that Jammu and Kashmir is better integrated into Bharat and that the removal of special status has opened the door for economic growth and stability.
However, the NC-Congress alliance contests this narrative, emphasizing the unmet promises of economic prosperity and employment. They argue that the development BJP claims has not reached the average Kashmiri and that the loss of autonomy has resulted in widespread discontent. The BJP faces a challenging electoral landscape in the Kashmir Valley, where support for the party remains limited. Its stronghold, Jammu, is crucial to its electoral strategy, as the region has historically leaned more toward the BJP’s nationalistic and development-oriented rhetoric.
Pakistan’s Ideological Alliances and Impact on Electoral Discourse
Pakistan’s open support for the NC-Congress alliance adds another layer of complexity to Jammu and Kashmir’s already volatile political discourse. Khawaja Asif’s comments can be seen as an attempt by Pakistan to influence the narrative in Kashmir, framing the electoral contest as a referendum on Bharat’s governance in the region. By aligning with political forces that oppose the abrogation of Article 370, Pakistan seeks to exploit local grievances and push for a reversal of the Modi government’s policies.
The NC-Congress alliance, however, risks being portrayed by the BJP and its supporters as siding with a hostile foreign power. This portrayal could undermine their legitimacy in the eyes of voters who prioritize national security and view Pakistan’s involvement in Kashmir as a threat. At the same time, this alignment may appeal to voters who feel that their political aspirations have been sidelined by Delhi and who yearn for the restoration of their special status.
Conclusion: A Battle Over Autonomy and Development
As Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polls, the political landscape is deeply divided over issues of autonomy, development, and national identity. The NC-Congress alliance, by advocating for the restoration of Article 370 and aligning itself with local grievances, has positioned itself as the voice of those who feel marginalized by the BJP’s policies. Pakistan’s open endorsement of their cause complicates this narrative, potentially alienating voters who are wary of foreign interference in Bharat’s internal affairs.
For the BJP, the challenge is to demonstrate that its developmental policies have made a tangible difference in the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. The party’s refusal to engage with Pakistan until it ceases state-sponsored terrorism highlights its stance on national security, but its electoral prospects in the Valley will depend on whether it can overcome the resentment stemming from the 2019 revocation of autonomy.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir are a critical test of the region’s political identity and its future relationship with the rest of Bharat. While the NC-Congress alliance’s promise to restore Article 370 resonates with a segment of the population, Pakistan’s overt support for this agenda complicates the electoral discourse, giving the BJP an opportunity to frame the alliance as being aligned with foreign interests. The outcome of these elections will shape the region’s political future and determine whether voters prioritize the restoration of autonomy or focus on the developmental promises offered by the BJP. The ideological divide in this election reflects the broader struggle for Jammu and Kashmir’s identity in post-Article 370 Bharat.
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