Recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir saw the opposition alliance, the INDIA bloc, gaining the majority in the J&K assembly, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
This election marked the first provincial election in J&K in a decade, following the Modi government’s decision to revoke the state’s autonomy and restructure it into two union territories.
The INDIA bloc partners, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress, secured 48 seats out of the 90-seat legislature, surpassing the majority mark of 46.
Despite this setback, the BJP emerged victorious in Haryana, receiving a clear mandate in the state elections held on the same day.
The results of these elections reflect a shift in political dynamics in northern India, with implications for the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2024.
In Kashmir, the BJP’s performance in the Jammu region contrasts with their struggles in the Kashmir valley, where mainstream parties like the NC, Congress, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secured significant support.
Notably, the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami’s participation in the elections and the failure of parties close to the BJP in the region highlight the complexities of electoral politics in J&K.
Looking ahead, the results suggest a resurgence of mainstream politics in the region, potentially leading to major changes in the political landscape.