 Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 30: The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency is poised for a triangular contest among three regional parties of Kashmir Valley.
This Parliamentary segment is steeped in the complexities of its voter demography and the lingering issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
Set against the backdrop of intricate political dynamics, the upcoming election scheduled for May 25 has garnered significant attention for its unfolding intrigues and suspense. The National Conference (NC) fields Mian Altaf, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presents Mehbooba Mufti, while J&K Apni Party puts forward Zaffar Manhas. Notably, Manhas is anticipated to receive support from absent political entities such as the Bharatiya Janata Party and J&K Peoples Conference, shaping the electoral landscape into a triangular affair.
The narrative leading up to the polls has largely revolved around the BJP, despite its absence from the contest thus far. Both the PDP and the NC have accused the BJP of challenging Kashmiri identity, special status, and natural resources. However, the BJP has rallied multiple political forces to advocate for the postponement of elections in Anantnag, citing weather concerns and limited voter accessibility due to rainfall. This move leaves the door open for the BJP’s potential re-entry into the fray should the Election Commission of India heed their request.
Various stakeholders, including BJP’s Ravinder Raina, J&K Peoples Conference’s Imran Reza Ansari, and J&K Apni Party’s Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, along with independent candidates, have sought the deferment of elections through separate representations to the Election Commission India.
The conspicuous absence of the BJP on the nomination deadline day raised eyebrows. The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency held strategic significance for the BJP as a gateway into the once inaccessible Kashmir valley. Over the past five years, the party strategically invested in various tribes of the Rajouri-Poonch region, aiming to capitalize on electoral gains, particularly after the revocation of J&K’s special status in 2019.
From granting Schedule Tribe (ST) status to affluent Paharis amidst protests from marginalized groups like Gujjars and Bakerwals, to nominating the first-ever Gujjar leader Ghulam Ali Khatana to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP made concerted efforts to expand its influence. However, the party faced a political dilemma amidst fears of polarization and the consolidation of Muslim votes.
The constituency’s political landscape also highlights the divergence between former allies within the People’s Alliance for the Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc. While the PAGD aimed to jointly fight for the restoration of J&K’s pre-August 5, 2019, status, the NC’s insistence on retaining the Anantnag seat strained its relationship with the PDP.
For Mehbooba Mufti, Anantnag holds personal significance as the hometown of the Muftis and a stronghold for her party, given its leadership’s roots in south Kashmir. Conversely, the NC sees an opportunity to reclaim south Kashmir from the PDP, which experienced an exodus of leaders post-2019. The outcome of the polls not only impacts Mufti’s political future but also influences the NC’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The recent delimitation exercise in 2022 reshaped the constituency’s voter demographics, adding complexity to the electoral landscape. With a significant influx of voters from the Pir Panjal region, the balance between Kashmiri-speaking voters and tribals shifted, with tribals gaining prominence. Candidates like Mian Altaf, with his appeal to Gujjar voters, and Mehbooba Mufti, leveraging her support among tribals, reflect the strategic outreach efforts tailored to the evolving demographic dynamics. |
