Elected representation returns to Kashmir: What unfurled and what to expect with return of Jumhuriyat?

Jammu and Kashmir saw the return of active politics officially in the valley. On 16th October, JKNC Vice President, Omar Abdullah took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the first time elections took place in the valley since 2014 and the National Conference-led government sits the new administrative offices.

This change of political order comes as a result of what occurred five years ago when Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the bill that abrogated the special status of Article 370 and end of semi-autonomy of the region. The additional nail in the coffin for the people of Jammu and Kashmir was demotion from a full-fledged state to a Union Territory. The Bill was passed on the very same day and thus came into effect the modifications to a state of Indian union like never before. After five years of direct rule from Delhi, the central government finally decided to commence assembly elections in the valley, three months after the Lok Sabha elections took place in the country.

Did Kashmiris want this election?
The Kashmiri populace has seen phases of unrest for over 30 years now. Was it any different this time? It certainly had a tense approach. A democratic sabbatical given to the civilians, political faces under house arrest and outspoken leaders and activists thrown in jail cells. The assembly was dissolved after a direct order from Delhi, just when they sniffed the chances of a possible alliance amongst all the regional parties of the valley, what was known as the Gupkar Alliance. Now people of the valley face different dilemmas. For many, there occurred a need for this election, a need for return of political representation and this has its own reasons.

In their manifestos and rallies, the contestants, many of whom were former ministers did not just promise the basic necessities of curbing inflation, unemployment or providing better roads and electricity. For all of those are necessary for an upward social life and Kashmiri society is no different. However, vast numbers of the populace face trouble from other sides as well. The army’s approach of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention and disappearance has been well known for decades in the Valley. Their unquestioned power under the Armed Forces Special Powers Qct (AFSPA), 1957 has allowed them to carry out these activities, even in the period post abrogation of article 370 which the Central Government continues to label as stable and peaceful in the valley.

The political leaders and their influence become a way out for the affected families to see their kin released from prisons and torture centres. Political influence becomes the only option for them to see the charges dropped. The issue also surfaces around individuals with not being able to get jobs or having to work outside the valley to stay out of the eye of Defence Forces. Such amounts of pressure have mounted a deep psychological effect on the millennial generation who get entrapped in a façade of politics.

The return of Engineer Rashid
Five months before the start of assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed alarming and entertaining general elections. The domination of Bhartiya Janta party was well seen in the Jammu region, who fielded senior leaders Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma and won impressively. In the valley JKNC’s Aga Ruhullah and Mian Altaf won respectively from the Constituencies of Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri defeating senior leaders of the People’s Democratic Party Waheed Para and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

While much of this was anticipated to happen, the BJP’s stronghold in the Jammu region and the NC’s comeback boosted with the downfall of Mehbooba’s PDP, the most popular was the Baramulla Constituency. The northern part of the valley was already buzzing. Former Chief Minister and a three-time parliamentarian, Omar Abdullah changed from his Srinagar Constituency and decided to contest from the north. His main rival, president of Peoples Conference, Sajad Gani Lone was another strong candidate with dominance in his home district of Kupwara.

In the most surprising event, an old horse of Kashmiri politics returned. Abdul Rashid Sheikh, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, was allowed to contest the elections whilst being in jail in a case of terror funding. The fight had just turned interesting. Engineer’s entry and the public response to it guaranteed an increase in the voting turnout and it happened. On 4th of June, Engineer Rashid emerged victorious from the Baramulla Constituency defeating Omar Abdullah by over 200,000 votes. This resurgence of Abdul Rashid Sheikh, with fierce campaigning by his senior party members and led by his own sons made a dramatic turnaround in regional politics.

Was this victory a sign of a new big party in the valley’s politics? It turned out to be rather contrasting. Engineer Rashid was a hero when he contested for the Lok Sabha seat from prison but his release just weeks before the start of assembly elections sparked controversy. People started to see him as an ally of the Bhartiya Janta Party who was released to cut votes that would have been in favor of a regional party like NC.

What do the election results signify?
After his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, people all over the valley sensed a new rise of Engineer Rashid that could make him a chief ministerial candidate and his party a major opposition to the National Conference. However, ground reality differed. Engineer Rashid was a chosen leader but the same faith did not lie with other newbie leaders of his party.

Contesting in more than 50% of constituencies, Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party was only able to see victory in Langate of Kupwara district. This was Rashid’s home district and from where he had been a legislator twice. Many of Rashid’s other candidates did well to come as runner-ups but it was clear that if the Lok Sabha win was a statement by Rashid, NC and Omar Abdullah replied to it with dominance in the assembly election.

Another important factor was the decline of the People’s Democratic Party. Important leaders deserted the party in recent years and late Mufti Syed’s decision to join hands with the BJP in 2014, after winning the most seats on the manifesto of ousting them, was seen as a huge betrayal for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The consequences of this coalition unfurled major constitutional changes in J&K’s recent history and the loss of statehood. The elections showcased a clear trust the people of Kashmir division and the Chenab Valley have put in the National Conference. Now sitting in the driver’s seat, it is in Omar Abdullah’s hands how he wants to repay the trust of the people in good faith.

Zubair Abdullah is a student pursuing Sociology Honours from Jamia Millia Islamia.

Edited By: Ayesha Alim

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of The Jamia Review or its members.