The results of the District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have come as a surprise to naysayers who have tried to build an anti-India narrative and advocated the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A ever since these were withdrawn on 5 August 2019. They are shocked since the alliance that advocated the restoration of Article 370 has failed to enthuse people.
Going by common wisdom, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) should have swept the polls. Going by the same logic, the BJP should have been decimated. The sole purpose of the seven-party PAGD, or the Gupkar Alliance, was to hammer home the point that the decision of 5 August must be reversed. The constituents of the alliance had earlier declared they would not participate in any elections till Article 370 was restored. As an afterthought, they decided to join the fray together, fearing complete isolation and a BJP upsurge.
Their game plan failed since there was the enthusiastic participation of people in the electoral process. Close to 51 per cent voters cast their votes overall, although the figures for Jammu and Kashmir were different. After a long time, this was an election that was completely free and fair and without a boycott call from the pro-Pakistan All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Backed by terrorists and pro-Pakistani hardliners, the APHC earlier controlled political activities in the Valley. This time, not even their shadow was visible anywhere. Even in terrorist-infested areas of South Kashmir, people came out to vote.
The Gupkar was a formidable alliance since it brought arch rivals, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), together with five other parties, including the CPM. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti had declared immediately after release from house arrest that there would not be a single person to hold the tricolour if Article 370 decision was not reversed. Their only purpose was to send a message to the world that they were the sole arbiter of the fate of the state and that the BJP did not have political grounding. The Congress, which was a major force once, toyed with the idea of joining the alliance but had to keep out, fearing a national backlash because of the Gupkar’s stand on Article 370 and the outlandish statements of some alliance leaders. It won only 26 seats.
While the Gupkar emerged as the largest group by winning 112 of the 280 DDC seats, the BJP emerged as a formidable force by winning 75 seats on its own and becoming the single largest party. The National Conference won 67 and the PDP 27. The biggest gainer was the sizable victory by Independents on 50 seats. The BJP’s ally Apni Party won 12 seats.
The BJP won three seats—Srinagar, Bandipora and Pulwama—in the Valley, something which very few had expected since the Kashmir region of the Union Territory has been predominantly Muslim. This was the biggest rebuff to those who said there won’t be any hands to hold the national flag.
The votes polled by the BJP, standing at 4,87,364 (38.74 per cent of the votes polled) is more than that of the Gupkar’s, that secured only 32.96 per cent. The biggest jolt to the alliance was the massive success of so many independent candidates. Close to 40 Independents were supported by the BJP. This showed that a new breed of local leaders that do not bow to the dynasty politics of the Abdullahs and the Muftis are keen to occupy the political space. They would play a crucial role in the times to come.
The biggest statement here is that the politics of the UT of J&K is no different than in other parts of the country. It went along with the BJP under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that is winning election after election elsewhere, be it in Bihar, Greater Hyderabad or the Assembly by-elections in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Manipur.
The biggest message from the polls is that people are aspiring for development. They want better roads, drinking water facilities and power, besides quality education and health services within reach. The image of PM Modi as a man of development and his stress on faster results have worked. One also witnessed the rare sight of the Governor walking miles to reach remote villages.
So far, terrorism did not allow development in the Valley and the earlier political dispensation connived with vested interests. Funds sent from the Central government for development did not reach the beneficiaries. Nobody could question anything. Instead, people were fed the opium of religious identity and separatism. Now, security forces are taking care of the terrorists and the government is working for development with a missionary zeal. New IITs, AIIMS and medical colleges are coming up in a big way. All ministries of the Union government have visited various parts of J&K to prepare the development roadmap. People have realised that New Delhi is working sincerely for their uplift and that they will miss the bus if they do not welcome the change.
There would definitely be political forces trying to live by the old framework. But the new crop of young people keen to play their role would force the old school to either change their thought process or become obsolete. The fact that the Gupkar joined the polls is the victory of democracy.
The writer is convener of the Media Relations Department of the BJP and represents the party as a spokesperson on television debates. He has authored the most authentic book on the Prime Minister, called ‘Narendra Modi: The Game Changer’. The views expressed are personal.
The Gupkar was a formidable alliance since it brought arch rivals, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), together with five other parties, including the CPM. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti had declared immediately after release from house arrest that there would not be a single person to hold the tricolour if Article 370 decision was not reversed. Their only purpose was to send a message to the world that they were the sole arbiter of the fate of the state and that the BJP did not have political grounding. The Congress, which was a major force once, toyed with the idea of joining the alliance but had to keep out, fearing a national backlash because of the Gupkar’s stand on Article 370 and the outlandish statements of some alliance leaders.