The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” Abraham Lincoln’s age-old wisdom has resonated with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, as evident in the Assembly elections 2024, the first to be held in ten years. The results are out, with a thumping majority for the National Conference or NC, which has won 42 out of 90 seats in the high-decibel Union Territory, and Congress, which has won 6. The BJP has, in terms of seat mathematics, performed above average, securing 29 seats—its best-ever performance in the region.
It is noteworthy that while NC’s Omar Abdullah will call upon Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to form the government and take possession of the historic Raj Bhavan, it is the BJP that has claimed the maximum share of the electorate pie by polling 25.5 per cent of total votes, followed by the NC at 23.4 per cent, the Congress (whose Rahul Gandhi claims Kashmiri ancestry) at 11.9 per cent, and Mehbooba Mufti’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at 8.8 per cent.
More words of wisdom from Abraham Lincoln: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” The people of Jammu and Kashmir have voted unequivocally in favour of democracy, choosing to turn their backs on terrorism and eschew the gun in favour of gucchis (uber-expensive morel mushrooms that are distinctive to the region), thereby paving the path for progress, peace, and prosperity in the region. It may be considered a win not just for democracy, but also for the BJP, which has shown the world that it practices what it preaches. This is in line with PM Modi’s recent statement at the UN: “Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield.”
New J&K narrative
The world watched as Jammu and Kashmir went to vote for the first Assembly elections after the abrogation of Article 370. And the BJP today stands vindicated, as does the value of justice enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution. This was also the first election in Jammu and Kashmir where the power of the gun was veiled—as veiled as the burqa-clad women voters who turned out in droves to exercise their franchise in the three phases. Inflation, unemployment, development, and mental health were the concerns raised by the women who voted for the betterment of their families.
The voter turnout was 63.88 per cent. A total of 873 candidates contested 90 seats, including ‘independent’ members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami and Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party. There was little talk of the much-misused word azaadi (freedom), which instead turned into the real freedom to exercise the right to vote this time around.
Stray acts of violence in the first-ever peaceful elections can be attributed as a win-win for democracy, the people of Kashmir, Omar Abdullah’s NC, and, most of all, the BJP, which is running the central government and is a national party. It has pledged to bring peace and prosperity to a region torn by violence in the past. The results have debunked many a myth and have brought a fresh perspective on democracy, azaadi, peace, prosperity, and participation. The narrative has changed from jihad to justice, from azaadi to awaam (people), and from bandook (gun) to berozgaari (unemployment).
Who but the BJP, with the visionary team of PM Modi and HM Shah, could and would bring about this 180-degree turn? The people of Jammu and Kashmir have realised that their interests are aligned with the greater interests of the rest of Bharat. The winds of change are tearing through Kashmir and it is a proud moment for our country to see the juggernaut of democracy rolling through the streets of Srinagar and Jammu.
When some biased media houses’ headlines scream, “Party opposed to India’s stripping of Kashmir’s autonomy comes to power,” does it belie the fact that rumour-mongering and fear-mongering about the disenfranchisement of Kashmir have been part of the rhetoric with regard to the beleaguered state since 1947 to 2017? While one may assign entertainment value to the exit polls for the sake of revenue generation, it has negligible value in the world of real politik.
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Rights of all Kashmiris
Speaking of disenfranchisement, there were Kashmiris who migrated to this side of the region under duress from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 1947—Mirpuris. In 75 years, however, they had never voted. Thanks to the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, they were finally able to exercise their fundamental right as Indian citizens.
Valmikis, a Scheduled Caste group who were brought to Jammu as safai karamcharis (sanitation workers) and always treated as outsiders, were finally able to vote. The Gorkhas from Nepal, who sacrificed themselves in Kashmir as part of the Gorkha regiment, were another disenfranchised group that had no status in Jammu and Kashmir despite having lived there for nearly a century.
It is easy to understand that vested interests in a corrupt political system can deny a person their fundamental rights. PM Modi’s mantra, “Sabka saath sabka vikaas (take all along),” indicates the BJP’s policy of inclusion as a hallmark of development. This opportunity to participate in the democratic process itself is the biggest achievement of this election for the disenfranchised sections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin called the election result a “stupendous victory” for democracy, adding, “This moment marks the beginning of a just and inclusive future that honours the hopes of every Kashmiri.”
While some democracies are struggling with paper ballots, the latest elections in Jammu and Kashmir have established the reliability of the Election Commission, its procedures, security forces, administrative measures, and EVMs. These protocols ensured a free and fair election, which itself is a great victory for India. Do we hear any calls that the EVMs were doctored or sabotaged? Even AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi acknowledged the Congress’ tendency to blame election losses on EVMs: “It is very easy to blame EVMs. You [Congress] win due to EVMs and when you lose, then it is wrong.”
Not a single voice can be heard in the clamouring congratulations for the NC that finds defective EVMs responsible for the so-called defeat of the BJP in post-Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP wears this ‘defeat’ as a badge of honour and claims it as a victory for the people of India, for Jammu and Kashmir, and for the Constitution.
Also read: A defeated Congress doesn’t guarantee BJP victory in states. Prepare to fight regional parties
Beyond courtesies
PM Modi, in the true spirit of statesmanship, congratulated the NC on its victory. Omar Abdullah responded by thanking the PM and stated: “We look forward to a constructive relationship in the true spirit of federalism so that the people of J&K may benefit from continued development & good governance.”
Beyond extending courtesies lies the road of inclusion and development on which Omar Abdullah’s government will have to deliver, especially for Jammu. The people of Jammu have exhibited deep distrust and disillusionment with NC due to their past experiences. Elections have further brought out the anomalies in the 2011 Census data, biased budget allocation, devolution of the development and inclusion of the Jammu region, and the process of delimitation. The people of Bharat expect Abdullah to recognise that he will soon be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and thus must deliver on the promise of good governance and not treat Jammu differently.
The world looks on, especially our pesky neighbour, whose agenda has been to destroy the land of our revered sage Kashyap. It is imperative that the NC, under Abdullah’s leadership, leave the spectre of terrorism behind and lead from the front to bring peace and prosperity to Kashmir, the crowning glory of Bharat.
The BJP has not only succeeded in changing the narrative but also the destiny of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meenakshi Lekhi is a BJP leader, lawyer, and social activist. Her X handle is @M_Lekhi. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)