Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: A rise of Independent candidates
Srinagar, Sep 10 (KB): As the Union Territory (UT) is all set to hold its first assembly election in a decade, an unprecedented rise in independent candidates has sent ripples across the political landscape.
According to news agency—Kashmir Bulletin (KB), with 44 percent of the contestants in the fray as Independents, this just might bring about a massive change in the balance of power in a region originally dominated by strong parties like the National Conference, PDP and Congress.
Nearly 450 candidates are contesting for 50 out of the 90 seats, of which 214 are independents. Of these, 92 candidates are contesting seats in the first phase and 122 in the second.
The surge is the highest in recent memory, as it outpaces the share Independents had in the previous elections, standing at 37%. Of them, many are not exactly unaffiliated, the usual backing of parties remains—only choosing to operate behind the scenes.
One strong example will be the Awami Ittehad Party led by jailed leader Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh. Though in jail since August 2019, Rashid’s clout remains as strong as ever, with at least 26 Independents linked to his party in the fray.
The shocking entry of Rashid’s AIP, which won the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat in 2019, plans to contest 40-42 seats in Kashmir and a handful in Jammu.
The banned Jamaat-e-Islami, being a cadre-based outfit, is said to be supporting a number of Independents in key constituencies, especially in South Kashmir. Though the outfit has been banned under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act UAPA, its political clout remains strong in Pulwama, Kulgam, and Devsar. (elections)
The trend of shadow affiliations with such parties, especially AIP and Jamaat-e-Islami, has sent eyebrows flying among analysts.
There is, however, a growing speculation that most of these independent candidates might have covert support from the BJP—a charge recently levied by former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.
Both Abdullah and Mufti have accused the BJP of trying to undermine the region’s traditional powerhouses by propping up proxies through smaller parties and Independents.
The independent surge brings fresh dynamism to the politics of Jammu and Kashmir. For decades, NC, PDP, and Congress held a monopoly over the political battles in the state.
But since the BJP has entered the region’s political landscape—especially after its success in the 2014 elections in Jammu—the equation has changed. (elections)
With Independents likely to play kingmakers in the fractured assembly, the polls might just herald the beginning of a change in regional governance. The independent candidates will be the center of attraction when votes are counted on October 8.
A good number of seats could make them the kingmakers for the formation of the next government in J&K—a new revolution in the political topography of the region.— (KB)
