Kashmir's largest political party, the National Conference (NC), emerged victorious in the recent local election in Indian-controlled Kashmir, securing 41 seats and leading in one constituency. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, won 29 seats from Hindu-dominated areas of Jammu. The Congress party, in alliance with the NC, succeeded in six constituencies.
The election, viewed as a referendum against the 2019 decision by Modi's government to revoke the region's special status, marked the first such vote in a decade. The move downgraded Kashmir into two centrally governed union territories, sparking opposition in the region.
The turnout for the election was 64%, with nearly 8.9 million eligible voters. The NC and Congress alliance secured a combined total of 48 seats, enough to form a government in the 95-seat legislature.
While most parties campaigned on promises to reverse the 2019 changes and address key issues like unemployment and inflation, the BJP vowed to block any attempts to undo the alterations but pledged to support economic development in the region.
Meanwhile, in the northern state of Haryana, the BJP is leading in 50 constituencies, poised for a record third term. The Congress is trailing with 35 seats out of 90, contrary to exit poll predictions.
The election outcome in Kashmir will allow for a limited transition of power from New Delhi to the regional assembly, although Kashmir will remain a union territory until its statehood is restored. The region's history of violence, boycotts, and vote-rigging has marked past elections, despite India's assertion of victory over separatism.
Militancy in Indian-controlled Kashmir has persisted since 1989, with rebels seeking either Pakistani rule or independence. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties among civilians, rebels, and government forces.
