SRINAGAR: The Indian ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claims of bringing progress and development to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have crumbled following a humiliating defeat in the recently held assembly elections, with results announced today.
According to Kashmir Media Service, despite extensive pro-poll rigging—including granting six additional seats to Hindu-majority Jammu compared to just one for the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, reconfiguring constituencies, and leveraging state machinery—the BJP managed to secure only 29 out of 90 total seats. Notably, the party did not win a single seat in the Valley, with all its victories coming from the Jammu region.
The National Conference-Congress alliance emerged victorious with 49 seats, comprising 42 for the National Conference, 6 for Congress, and 1 for CPI-M. The Peoples Democratic Party secured 3 seats, while the People’s Conference and Aam Aadmi Party each won 1 seat. Moreover, independents claimed 7 seats.
Observers of the Kashmir situation say that the election results reveal a stark disconnect between the BJP’s claims of winning over Kashmiris and the reality on the ground. They argue that the anti-BJP vote signifies a rejection of the Modi government’s actions on August 5, 2019, and underscores Kashmiris’ enduring demand for a plebiscite under United Nations auspices to determine their political future. The results reflect their commitment to continue this struggle until their goals are achieved.
It is important to note that these elections were held for the first time in a decade, following the revocation of IIOJK’s special status in August 2019.
