The BJP boasts of truly integrating Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian state by abrogating Article 370 and claims that the general masses including those from the Kashmir Valley are very much happy and also that it will get the majority of its own and form the government, has failed to field candidates to all constituencies in the valley. The Kashmir Valley has 47 seats after delimitation, but the saffron party has fielded candidates only 19 of them.
Did BJP Not Get Candidates?
Though Home Minister Amit Shah earlier claimed that the party would field candidates for all 90 seats, the BJP decided to skip 28 constituencies. Political observers believe the saffron party skipped these constituencies simply because it did not get suitable candidates. After the abrogation of Article 370, there was a lockdown in almost the whole of Jammu and Kashmir for a very long period.
Ruthless Lockdown And Afterward
Justifying the ruthless lockdown after the abrogation of Article 370, the union government argued that it was aimed at curbing terrorism and untoward incidents. Apprehending the repeat of the unrest witnessed by the Kashmir Valley in 2016-17, the government imposed tough measures and made widespread arrests in a large number. As many as more than 6,000 people, including local Kashmiri politicians, two former chief ministers and many MPs were arrested in a month.
The government barred the mobile phone services for the 85th consecutive day on October 28, for at least 2.5 million prepaid cell phone users in Jammu and Kashmir. A 2G internet connection was established in Jammu & Kashmir, only for limited sites approved by the government. There was a blanket ban on social media platforms. Security force personnel used to check the mobile phones of the local Kashmiris to see any social media access using a VPN.
BJP At Receiving End Of People’s Ire?
Though no massive terror attack took place due to the lockdown, there was widespread dissent among the people of Kashmir and it is believed that the anger against the Indian state increased many times. The saffron party that jumped out to take the credit for abolishing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir is at the receiving end.
BJP’s Strategy To Checkmate NC, PDP
If media reports are to be believed the saffron party has made underhand dealing and reached secret agreements with certain local small political parties and some significant politicians who will contest as independents. The BJP has adopted the policy of supporting these candidates to checkmate its arch-rivals like the National Conference and the PDP. Knowing it well that the party will not be able to win these seats, it would back those candidates who can thrash or undermine the candidates of these parties.
Omar Abdullah: BJP With Apni Party, People’s Conference
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has accused the saffron party of hobnobbing with smaller parties only to beat his party. Explaining his stand, he said that while the BJP attacks his party, it remains tight-lipped on the Apni Party and People’s Conference.
While addressing an election rally, Omar Abdullah asked the people to ask Amit Shah why he had not criticised these parties and the independent candidates while he mercilessly attacked the National Conference.
BJP Hand In Glove With Engineer Rashid?
According to the Indian Express, a BJP candidate from Anantnag, Rafiq Wani said, “Engineer Rashid is ours, Sajad Lone too, Altaf Bukhari is also ours, and Nabi Azad (Ghulam Nabi Azad) also. The Independent candidates also belong to us.”
BJP Ignores Its Cadre
If media reports are to be believed, the grassroots workers of the saffron party are not happy with the decision. Many of them hoped to get a ticket and planned personal agendas, though they were not sure of winning the seat. Some of the local-level leaders received the ire and hatred of the general masses when lockdown was imposed. Now they are disappointed that the party has not awarded them. They may also create problems for the saffron party and work against it.
Though the BJP performed well in the Jammu region, it won only two seats in the last assembly elections held in 2014. Political observers see no reason for a better performance by the saffron party.
