The National Conference (NC)–Congress alliance has emerged victorious in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, securing 49 seats out of the total 90. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Ravinder Raina, managed to secure 29 seats.
Key Events
Ravinder Raina, the BJP’s regional chief, lost his Nowshera constituency seat to National Conference’s Surinder Kumar Choudhary by a margin of 7,819 votes.
The BJP’s performance was noted to be its best-ever in the region, thanks to Raina’s leadership, but he failed to retain his seat.
Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference, won both the Budgam and Ganderbal seats, which has positioned him as the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. His father, Farooq Abdullah, confirmed
Omar’s elevation to the role, saying, “People have given their mandate… Omar will be the CM.”
Improvement in BJP’s Seat Count
The BJP gained a total of 29 seats, which represents a significant improvement over previous performances. Raina, while acknowledging his personal loss in Nowshera, said, “I accept the people’s verdict and thank them for their support.” The party has been central to Jammu and Kashmir politics post-2019, following the abrogation of Article 370, which removed the state’s special status.
National Conference and Congress Dominate the Polls
The National Conference, which had faced efforts to fragment its influence in the region, proved resilient. Omar Abdullah remarked on these challenges:
“Attempts were made to destroy the NC over the last five years. So many parties were created, but we have emerged stronger.”
The Congress also performed well, with Tariq Hameed Karra winning the Central Shalteng seat and Peerzada Mohammad Syed securing Anantnag.
Separatist Groups Falter
Candidates affiliated with separatist groups, including Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, performed poorly. Rashid’s party, which fielded multiple candidates, saw most lose their deposits, signaling a clear rejection of separatist politics by voters.
Key Wins for Other Parties
Sajad Lone of the Jammu & Kashmir People’s Conference (JKPC) won the Handwara seat but lost in Kupwara.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) registered its first win in the region with Mehraj Malik winning the Doda seat.
The 2024 elections marked the first assembly election since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This change transformed Jammu and Kashmir from a state to a Union Territory, which sparked debates about the region’s autonomy. The political impact of this decision loomed large over the election, with the National Conference using it as a rallying point. Omar Abdullah and his father, Farooq Abdullah, have both been vocal critics of the move, often framing the abrogation as an infringement on Kashmir’s rights.
In contrast, the BJP’s Ravinder Raina has been a staunch defender of the Article 370 move, leading several campaigns championing its benefits, including improved security and development. His personal loss in Nowshera has been symbolic of the challenges the BJP faces in gaining footholds in the Valley despite doing well in the Jammu region.
In 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370, the PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was placed under house arrest, a move heavily criticized by regional and national leaders. With the results now favoring the NC-Congress alliance, Mufti reiterated her support for the people, calling for the smooth functioning of the new government and warning against any “mischief” or interference by the central government in the region’s governance.
With the NC-Congress alliance securing a majority, this election signals a return to regional power for the Abdullah family, while also reflecting the BJP’s growing influence in Jammu. However, the rejection of separatist and fringe parties by the electorate marks a clear shift toward more mainstream politics in the region.
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The results will continue to shape Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape, particularly as the region navigates post-Article 370 realities and the challenges of governance under an NC-led administration.
