Established regional parties like National Conference and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) have been grappling with the new reality. To stay relevant, their focus is now on demand for restoration of statehood and the need to address issues related to employment, land owner ship, inflation, higher tariffs and a deep sense of disempowerment among voters.

Imran Nabi Dar, the NCP chief spokesman, referred to the upcoming polls as an “alien election”. “This election is being held after J&K was ruled by bureaucrats for ten years”, he said. “It surpasses the six-year Central rule in 1990s, after which elections were held in 1960s”.

As the polls continue, a high stake battle is shaping up between NC and the PDP on one side and the BJP on Kashmir on development path. For the Congress, which aligns with regional parties, the polls are an opportunity to reassert its role in the region, particularly in Jammu. The task of challenging the BJP, however, largely rests on NC. With a strong organizational structure, the NC has managed to navigate the choppy political water after voiding of Article 370. In contrast, the PDP which emerged as a formidable force after 2002 assembly polls victory, has had significant setback. Several of its leaders and workers are now with the Apna Party, founded by former PDP leader Altaf Bukhari in March 2020.

The PDP’s influence has been on wane in its strongholds—Anantpur, Pulwama, Shopian and Kupgam. The NC has been reluctant to join hands with the weakened PDP, as many of its leaders believe that going it alone would be more beneficial. “The PDP is our main rival,” said a senior NC leader. “An alliance with them during their crisis will help them, not us. It will hurt us in the future”.

The NC was in alliance with the Congress and CPI-M in the Lok Sabha polls. The party led in 34 of 54 assembly segments in the three Lok Sabha constituencies in Kashmir: Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantpur-Rajouri. The BJP and the Congress chose not to contest these seats, focusing instead on two Jammu constituencies—Udampur and Jammu. The BJP led in 29 assembly segments in these two seats; the Congress led in seven.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge are the two leaders discussing election strategy with the leaders of NC.. According to the NC leadership there was a “tactical alliance” with the Congress in the Muslim-majority regions of the Pir Panjal and Chenab valley which together have 11 assembly seats where the NC is in direct contest with BJP. In the remaining Jammu constituencies, the BJP will primarily compete with the Congress. (IPA Service)