OBCs, Other Section’s Anger Loom Over BJP’s Prospects in Upcoming J&K Polls
Avinash Azad
In a development that could significantly alter the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, the All India Backward Classes Union (AIBCU) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, accusing it of systematically sidelining Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in key decision-making bodies. This criticism comes at a crucial time, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) having just announced assembly elections in the Union Territory.
Prof Kali Dass, AIBCU spokesperson, didn’t hold back in his condemnation. “When the government doesn’t want to allow constitutional rights to OBCs, what’s the point of these committees?” he questioned, dismissing recent initiatives as “mere window dressing” and “an eyewash to befool the OBCs.”
The AIBCU’s grievances are manifold. They point to a glaring absence of OBC representation in Backward Classes Commissions across Jammu and Kashmir. At the national level, the constitutionally mandated National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) is operating with just two members, rendering it largely ineffective.
Policy stagnation has further fueled discontent. The government’s failure to revise the creamy layer criteria since 2017, despite it being due in 2020, has drawn sharp criticism. Additionally, while most central rules have been implemented in J&K following the abrogation of Article 370, reservation rules remain conspicuously absent.
This growing resentment among OBCs could spell trouble for the BJP in the upcoming elections. The party has already faced setbacks in rural areas over policies implemented post the region’s reorganization. A humiliating defeat in recent Lok Sabha elections, where the BJP secured only 2 out of 6 seats in J&K, has further exposed its vulnerabilities.
Not only OBCs, but other sections of society in J&K are also unhappy with the bureaucratic red tape in the absence of an elected government. Rising corruption and unheard public grievances could lead to unexpected losses for the BJP, which is eyeing the Chief Minister’s post after the abrogation of Article 370 and the delimitation of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.
Even former Rajya Sabha MP and senior BJP leader Shamsher Singh Manhas openly criticized the bureaucracy in J&K during a press conference. The BJP and its ally, JKAP, suffered a humiliating defeat in the newly carved Rajouri-Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, where National Conference candidate Mian Altaf Hussain Larvi defeated BJP-backed Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas, who finished third with 142,195 votes. Former Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti secured 240,042 votes for second place, while Mian Altaf Ahmad of NC won the seat with 521,383 votes.
Sensing the shifting political winds, the BJP had differed Panchayati and Urban Local Bodies polls in the region. However, this move may be too little, too late. As Prof Dass bluntly put it, “The government’s intention is clearly against the OBCs.” As J&K prepares for its first assembly elections since its transition to Union Territory status, the BJP finds itself on shaky ground.
The party’s ability to address the concerns of OBCs and other marginalized communities may well determine its electoral fortunes in this politically sensitive region. This unfolding situation raises critical questions about the efficacy of the government’s welfare measures for OBCs and could potentially reshape the political dynamics not just in Jammu and Kashmir, but across India’s political landscape.
Not only the OBCs but other section of society in J&K are not happy with bureaucratic redtapism in the absence of elected government, raise in corruption, unheard public voices may causes unexpected losses to BJP, as the Saffron party is eyeing on Chief Minister’s post, after abrogation of Article 370 and delimitation of assembly and the Lok Sabha constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir.
The candidate of BJP and JKAP had suffered humiliating defeat on newly carved out Rajouri-Anantnag Lok Sabha seat, where National Conference Candidate, Mian Altaf Hussain defeated saffron party backed candidate Zafar Iqbal Khan Manhas, who secured third position of with 142195 votes, ex Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti got 240042 votes to reach number two position, while Mian Altaf Ahmad of NC got 5213836 votes and reached Lok Sabha.
BJP Govt at Centre has granted the reservation to OBCs under OBC category first time, replacing Weak and under privileged Castes, ‘Social Caste’ (OSC) category and enhanced the reservation from 2% to 8%. BJP Govt at centre has also extended reservation to OBCs first time in the Panchayats and Urban Local Body Elections under panchayati Raj, which was otherwise denied by the previous NC- Congress Govts. The statement given by Prof Kali Dass is politically influenced and not based on facts.
BJP Govt at Centre has granted the reservation to OBCs under OBC category first time, replacing Weak and under privileged Castes, ‘Social Caste’ (OSC) category and enhanced the reservation from 2% to 8%. BJP Govt at centre has also extended reservation to OBCs first time in the Panchayats and Urban Local Body Elections under panchayati Raj, which was otherwise denied by the previous NC- Congress Govts. The statement given by Prof Kali Dass is politically influenced and not based on facts.