Political shuffle: Leaders switch sides ahead of Assembly elections in J&K

As the elections approach, a mix of hope and apprehension fills the air in J&K, while many are optimistic about the possibility of positive change and the restoration of Article 370

In Jammu and Kashmir, where voters are gearing up for a historic election after a decade-long hiatus, political musical chair seems to be the sport of the day as political leaders from the National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party have been resigning over dissatisfaction with candidate selections and party leadership. This upheaval adds to the dynamic and evolving political landscape as the assembly elections approach.

Political leaders are expressing frustration, claiming that defectors are being favoured over long-standing loyal members for election tickets.  This sense of betrayal is leading to resignations and contributing to the shifting political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir as the assembly elections approach. Many experienced leaders feel their years of dedication and service are being overlooked in favour of newer, less experienced candidates.

It is against my self-respect to stay with the PDP now says Raja Waheed

“I was sure I would get a ticket for the Shopian assembly segment in South Kashmir. Instead, the party chose a candidate who joined the party in 2021,” Raja Waheed 48-year-old former member of PDP tells Media India Group.

Raja Waheed himself had joined the PDP 15 years ago, rising to vice-president of its Shopian district unit and winning the district development council elections in 2020. With the announcement of Jammu and Kashmir’s first Assembly elections since its reorganisation into a Union Territory, the party leader expected a ticket for the Shopian assembly segment.

“It is against my self-respect to stay with the PDP now,” Waheed adds.

Waheed is not alone. At least nine other prominent leaders, including a former Member of Legislative Assembly, have left the party since the elections to the Union territory were announced – seven in its bastion of South Kashmir.

It is not just in PDP, but every day, members of various other parties are resigning to join their opponents, causing significant turmoil. This has led to conflicts within many parties over candidate selection, with tensions particularly high in the National Conference. The frequent shifts and internal disputes are reshaping the political landscape as the elections approach, reflecting deep dissatisfaction and instability among party members.

Neelofar Masood

In North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, there was significant demand that the party nominate a female candidate, with Advocate Neelofar Masood, the first female president of the Bar Association of Jammu and Kashmir being a popular choice among locals who demanded a representative from the Baramulla town itself, believing she could have bring much-needed attention to the area’s specific needs.

Many people believe that her leadership could have bring much-needed change and are disappointed by her exclusion from the candidate list. Despite her years of service, the party chose to prioritise Javeed Hussain Baigh, a recent recruit and former PDP member, for the election ticket. This decision has sparked disappointment among local supporters who had hoped for her candidacy.

“We wanted a representative from Baramulla town who understands our struggles and aspirations, Neelofar Masood would have been the perfect choice to lead us in this election, but once again, our voices seem to have been ignored,” Rabiya Wani, 44-years-old resident of Baramulla, tells Media India Group.

The conflict and resignations shaking Jammu and Kashmir’s regional parties are mirrored within the BJP as well, the BJP is also experiencing growing dissatisfaction among its leaders in the Kashmir Valley. Concerns have been raised about the party’s decision to field candidates in only eight of the sixteen seats voting in the first phase.

This discontent follows recent resignations and protests by BJP leaders in Jammu over similar issues, revealing a broader crisis affecting both national and regional political entities.

As the political landscape continues to shift the release of candidate list and manifestos of various political parties are being released, a common theme that resonates deeply with the local populace is the call for the restoration of Article 370. Political leaders from multiple parties, including People’s Democratic Party, the NC-Congress alliance and jailed Member of Parliament, Shiekh Abdul Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party, are hitting the nerves of the electorate by promising to work towards bringing back the special status of Jammu and Kashmir if they are elected. This commitment is seen as a crucial point in their campaigns. These leaders are leveraging this emotional appeal to gain support, emphasising that the restoration of Article 370 is key to preserving the region’s unique identity and ensuring greater autonomy.

“We want our identity and special status back. Restoration of Article 370 is not just a demand it is about our dignity and rights. I hope whoever wins this election keeps their promises and works towards restoring what was taken from us. We are tired of empty words, we need real action this time,” Junaid Tantray, a 27-year-old student of Kashmir University tells Media India Group

Despite the changes and the passage of time, the abrogation of Article 370 remains a deeply emotional issue for many in Jammu and Kashmir. The upcoming elections have reignited hopes and debates about the possibility of its restoration. For many voters, this election is not just about selecting representatives but also about voicing their desire to reclaim the region’s special status.

“Even after five years of its abrogation, there is still hope among the people that Article 370 will be restored. In this election, many of us want to vote for the restoration of our special status. I, too, want to cast my vote for this cause, believing that our voices will be heard and our demands finally addressed,” Waseem Ahmad, a 31-year-old businessperson in Baramulla, tells Media India Group.

As the elections approach, a mix of hope and apprehension fills the air in Jammu and Kashmir. While many are optimistic about the possibility of positive change and the restoration of Article 370, there is also a lingering fear rooted in the region’s recent political history. The memories of political parties forming alliances with the BJP, is still fresh in the minds of the electorate. This experience has made some voters wary of potential post-election alliances that could again sideline their aspirations.

“We hope for the best in this election, but there is still a kind of fear among us. In the past, parties have allied with the BJP, and the results were clear, Article 370 was abrogated without considering the people’s wishes. We hope this will not happen again. We don’t want any BJP-affiliated party to win here. We need leaders who genuinely represent our interests, not those who might compromise them for political gain,” Qamran Qayoom (name changed), a resident of  Pulwama, tells Media India Group.

For the first time, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is  also entering the fray in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, bringing a fresh perspective to the political landscape. Known for its anti-corruption stance and governance reforms in other parts of India, AAP’s entry has sparked curiosity and optimism among some voters who are eager for a change from the traditional parties. Many see AAP’s participation as an opportunity to bring new ideas and a different approach to addressing the region’s longstanding issues.

“I am happy to see the Aam Aadmi Party contesting in this election. We need new faces and fresh ideas that can focus on real issues like education, healthcare, and corruption. AAP has shown its commitment to these causes in other states, and I believe they can bring the same positive change here in Jammu and Kashmir,” Saira Bano, a 22-year-old student from Boniyar, tells Media India Group.

Voting for the assembly elections will be held in three phase  for the 90 assembly seats of Jammu and Kashmir, starting on September 18, followed by September 25, and concluding on October 1. The results are set to be announced on October 8, making this the shortest polling period for any assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir since 2002.

For context, the 2002 elections were held in four phases, 2008 in seven phases, and 2014 in five phases. The last government formed by the PDP-BJP alliance in 2014 collapsed in 2018 after the BJP withdrew its support from then-Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Since then, the region has been under central rule. In 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370, and the former state was bifurcated into two Union Territories Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.