Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Election 2024
The nominations for the first and second phase seats for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections have ended. Compared to 2014, the share of political parties in this year’s assembly elections is more. This is the first assembly election after the abrogation of Article 370. Not only BJP, Congress, PDP, National Conference but also small regional parties are contesting in the assembly elections of Jammu and Kashmir. This time 44 percent independent candidates are in the fray, it will also affect the election results. In such a situation, all eyes are on who the independents will play and whose game they will spoil?
A total of 485 candidates have filed nominations for the 50 assembly seats in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir, with 214 independent candidates trying their luck. There are 92 independent candidates on 24 assembly seats in the first phase and 122 independent candidates on 26 assembly seats in the second phase. For the first time in the politics of Jammu and Kashmir, such a large number of independents are trying their luck. Although people belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami formed their own regional party, it could not get recognition from the Election Commission. Due to which the people of Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu and Kashmir have voted as an independent candidate. This is the reason that this time the entire record of fielding independent candidates is being broken.
Independent candidate in 2014 and 2008
Assembly elections were last held in the state in 2014. In the 2014 elections, a total of 278 candidates contested the assembly seats in the first two phases, of which 87 were independent candidates. Thus 31 percent of the candidates were independent. Three independent MLAs were elected in this election. In the previous assembly elections held in 2008, a total of 518 candidates were in the fray, of which 190 were independent candidates. Thus 37 percent of the total candidates were independents. Four independent MLAs were elected in this election.
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An independent candidate in the 2024 election field
As in Jammu and Kashmir, 44 percent candidates are independent in two phases this time. This can lead to a major manipulation of the political game. Six members belonging to the banned Jamaat-e-Islami outfit are contesting as independent candidates. Talat Majeed is contesting from Pulwama seat, Sair Ahmed Reshi from Kulgam seat, Nazir Ahmed Butt from Deosar seat. The leader is associated with Jamaat-e-Islami, which was banned by the Indian government. The nomination of surgeon Barkati from Shopia has been cancelled.
Tehreek-e-Awam Party
Jamaat-e-Islami (Jammu-Kashmir) and several separatists have formed a party called Tehreek-e-Awam, but the process of registering the party with the Election Commission is yet to be completed. In such a situation, leaders associated with Jamaat-e-Islami are trying their luck in the independent sector. Apart from this, many other leaders have also joined the independent party. Jamaat-e-Islami tried its luck in every assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir before 1987 and won, but did not contest elections after that.
Live in the present, not the past
Talat Majeed, who belongs to Jamaat-e-Islami, says that considering the current political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the time has come to participate in the election process. What was my opinion on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is widely known today. Jamaat-e-Islami and Hurriyat Conference should proceed keeping in view the current political climate. As Kashmiris we should not live in the past but in the present and try to move forward for a better future.
Chief Minister is the owner of BJP
BJP is working on the strategy of making its own Chief Minister for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir. In this they are hoping to win 35 seats in Jammu region and 10 seats in Kashmir Valley. The BJP is contesting all the seats in the Jammu region while it has made strategic inroads into the Muslim-dominated Kashmir region. Instead of contesting the seats in the Kashmir region, the BJP has supported several small parties and independents.
Seats of Kashmir region
In Jammu and Kashmir, independent candidates have mostly contested seats in the Kashmir region, where parties like the PDP and the National Conference have political influence. Parties with their base in Kashmir are also trying their luck on seats in these areas. These include parties like Garib Democratic Party, Aman and Shanti Tehreek-e-Jammu and Kashmir, All Jammu and Kashmir Liberal Democratic Party, National Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir All Alliance Democratic Party, Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist People’s Front. Due to his contesting, the distribution of votes on seats in the Kashmir region is considered certain. This can spoil any team’s game.
MP Engineer Rashid
MP Engineer Rashid has emerged as a beacon of hope for independents and separatists contesting the assembly elections. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Engineer Rashid contested as an independent candidate against leaders like Omar Abdullah and Sajjad Lone and became an MP by winning with a huge majority. Due to which now the separatists have decided to try their luck in the assembly elections. That is why the largest number of independent candidates are in the fray to try their luck in Jammu and Kashmir.
