Avinash Azad
The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are set to be a pivotal moment in the region’s history. After a decade-long gap, these elections are being viewed as more than just a routine political event. Many see them as a de facto referendum on the 2019 abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which stripped J&K of its special status.
For the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), these elections represent an opportunity to consolidate support for their decisions and present it as a success. The BJP has long championed the removal of J&K’s special status as a cornerstone of its ideology, framing it as a move towards national integration and economic development.
However, the BJP faces significant challenges. Internal discontent over candidate selection and corruption allegations have led to party members running as independents. Recent (Lok Sabha) electoral setbacks in other states have also dented the party’s image of invincibility.
Despite these issues, the BJP remains committed to its “development model” for J&K, using it as a key appeal to voters. For opposition parties, the elections are about more than just governance, they’re about reclaiming J&K’s lost identity.
The restoration of Articles 370 and 35A is a focal point for parties like the People’s Conference, National Conference, and People’s Democratic Party. Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference, once part of the BJP-led alliance, now firmly opposes the abrogation of Article 370, signaling a significant shift in regional politics.
The Congress party is also poised to make gains, attacking the BJP on multiple fronts including mismanagement, corruption, and unemployment. Their focus on these issues is likely to resonate with voters, given the economic challenges the region has faced in recent years.
At the heart of this electoral battle lies the issue of identity. For decades, Articles 370 and 35A defined J&K’s relationship with the rest of India, granting the region a degree of autonomy. The removal of these provisions in 2019 was seen by many in J&K as an assault on their unique identity, even as it was welcomed in other parts of the country including Jammu Kashmir, as Ladakh got, what it was demanding for decades.
The BJP’s aggressive stance against restoring J&K’s special status has deepened polarization in the region. For the party, these elections are a chance to cement their narrative of stability and progress. For the opposition, it’s about reclaiming a lost sense of autonomy and belonging. As J&K heads into these critical elections, the stakes are extraordinarily high.
A BJP victory would likely be interpreted as a mandate for their 2019 actions, reinforcing their narrative of national integration. An opposition win, particularly by those advocating for the restoration of J&K’s special status, would indicate that many in the region still yearn for their pre-2019 autonomy and identity. While development and governance remain important issues, the core of this election revolves around the emotional and political legacy of Article 370.
This contest is not merely a political battle, it’s a referendum on the future direction of Jammu and Kashmir and has broader implications for Indian federalism and identity politics. The outcome will significantly shape the region’s relationship with the rest of India and potentially influence the country’s approach to regional autonomy and diverse identities within its federal structure.
