JOIN USThe chances of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) opening its account in Kashmir Valley appear dim in view of the high percentage of polling in last three phases of Assembly elections.
The party has been banking on separatists boycott call and migrant Kashmiri Pandits to win Habbakadal constituency in Srinagar which has seen low voter turnout since 1996. However, if the voter turnout improves, the chances of BJP will further diminish.
The party had also banked on militancy hit Tral Assembly segment in south Kashmir which went to polls in third phase on Tuesday. However, according to unofficial reports, the BJP may not even finish runner up as high percentage of voting marred its chances.
The J&K Assembly has 87 seats. While Kashmir accounts for 46 seats, there are 37 seats in Jammu and four in Ladakh. Buoyed by its performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls, the BJP made an impression of being a serious player for the first time, in the valley’s fractious politics. But its hopes appear to have been dashed by the high voter turnout in previous three phases in Kashmir. The people have defied the separatists’ poll boycott calls and voted in huge numbers.
BJP spokesperson in Kashmir Khalid Jehangir subtly acknowledges that the party may not be able to open its account in the Valley. For us, this election is just the beginning. It’s like taking baby steps,” he told Deccan Herald.
However, Jehangir claims the BJP will sweep Jammu region. “Though we fought elections seriously in all the three regions of the state our best chances are in Jammu where we will gain substantially. As far as Kashmir is concerned we are making inroads here for the first time,” he added.
A senior BJP leader wishing anonymity told Deccan Herald that the party’s poll prospects in the valley were apparently hurt by various factors such as the projection of a Hindu chief minister and the ambiguity on the Article 370, which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir.