Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Aug 06 : Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a flurry of political activity as parties prepare for the first Assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the state into a Union Territory.
These elections, scheduled to take place between late August and September 30, are expected to be a significant turning point in the region’s political future.
The Supreme Court had instructed the Election Commission to conduct these elections by September 30, leading to increased urgency and preparation across the political landscape.
In the last Assembly elections held in 2014, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the highest number of seats, securing 28, followed by the BJP with 25 seats.
The PDP then formed a coalition government with the BJP, with former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed likening the coalition to “bringing together the North Pole with the South Pole.”
This time, however, the PDP and NC are part of the Congress-led INDIA bloc.
In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the NC and Congress ran as a joint alliance, while the PDP contested separately on three seats in Kashmir. This shift in alliances reflects the evolving political dynamics in the region.
The BJP, which recently won two Lok Sabha seats in Jammu, is expected to contest all Assembly seats. “Our party is ready to present our vision for the future of Jammu and Kashmir. We are confident about our prospects in the upcoming elections,” stated one of the BJP leaders.
The National Conference (NC) had established a 14-member committee to plan their strategy for the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has revealed its first list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Sources indicate that other political parties in Jammu and Kashmir are also actively preparing for the polls.
Meanwhile, as per reports the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, will visit Jammu and Kashmir from August 8-10 to review preparations for the Assembly elections.
Kumar will be accompanied by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S S Sandhu. During their visit, they will meet with political parties, review the electoral setup with the chief electoral officer, and coordinate with central forces.
The Commission will also hold meetings with election officers, police superintendents, and senior officials such as the chief secretary and director general of police. On August 10, the team will travel to Jammu to meet with enforcement agencies and hold a press conference to update the media on the review process.
Following the delimitation exercise, the number of Assembly seats has increased from 83 to 90, excluding those allocated to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Election Commission has also mandated the transfer of officers from their home districts to ensure impartiality. This move is part of the Commission’s standard procedure to prevent bias and ensure a fair election process.
Additionally, the Commission has updated electoral rolls in the region and is accepting applications for ‘common symbols’ from unrecognized parties.(KNS)
