SRINAGAR, Jan 1: After six years, Jammu and Kashmir saw the formation of an elected government in 2024, although statehood continued to be a distant goal due to a hybrid governance model obstructing the full restoration of democratic norms.
The assembly elections represented a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir, occurring after a decade-long hiatus.
These elections were the first following the abrogation of Article 370, the first within the context of the Union Territory setup, and the first since the onset of militancy that saw participation from members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, a socio-religious group.
Notably, the National Conference made significant gains, winning 42 seats in the 90-member assembly, almost achieving a majority alone, while campaigning on pledges to restore special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, became just the fourth leader from Jammu and Kashmir to embark on a second term as chief minister, joining the ranks of his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, father Farooq Abdullah, and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The BJP secured its position as the second largest party, consolidating its voter base in Jammu by winning 29 out of 43 seats there but again failed to gain any seats in the valley.
The Congress aimed to improve its standing in Jammu but ended up with no seats in Hindu-majority regions, managing to clinch only six — five from the valley and one from the Muslim-majority Rajouri.
The PDP saw the most significant decline among mainstream political parties, with just three seats compared to 28 in the previous 2014 elections.
The electoral debut of Iltija Mufti, daughter of former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, from the family stronghold of Bijbehara also yielded unsatisfactory results.
In Jammu, the BJP’s then-president Ravinder Raina, once a front-runner for the chief ministerial position, faced a notable defeat in the elections.
Voter turnout was remarkable even in areas typically known for boycotting polls, with several former separatist leaders and their relatives participating as candidates.
The National Conference benefited from existing public discontent with the reading down of Article 370, boosting their seat count to nearly three times what it was in 2014.
Upholding its electoral commitments, the National Conference government quickly passed a resolution for the restoration of statehood in its first cabinet meeting, along with a significant assembly resolution seeking the restoration of special status.
Predictably, the BJP protested vigorously during the assembly session regarding this resolution.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather had to call for the removal of over a dozen BJP MLAs to ensure that the business of the five-day session could proceed.
Additionally, assembly elections were conducted in just three phases for the first time since 1987.
Earlier in the year, unexpected outcomes characterized the Lok Sabha elections in the valley, while the two Jammu seats fell as anticipated.
Union minister Jitendra Singh and his BJP colleague Jugal Kishore Sharma both secured their third consecutive wins in the Lok Sabha.
A major upset transpired when Omar Abdullah lost in Baramulla to jailed leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, with local leader Sajad Gani Lone also defeated amidst Rashid’s sons campaigning for their father’s release.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti experienced her own setback, losing her second consecutive Lok Sabha election — this time to Main Altaf Ahmad Larvi, a reluctant candidate who eventually heeded the National Conference’s call.
Aga Ruhullah from the National Conference was also elected, defeating terror-accused PDP leader Waheed Para in Srinagar.
Ruhullah has emerged as a moral voice for the National Conference, frequently reminding the party of its pre-election pledges through public statements.
He actively participated in a sit-in outside the chief minister’s residence advocating for a reassessment of quotas in the reservation policy.
While new figures are making their mark in the political arena, it appears some of the veterans may have reached the end of their electoral journeys.
Notably, National Conference president and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah chose not to contest either election.
Meanwhile, former Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad is attempting to establish his own party, but it seems to be fracturing.
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party revealed that Azad, a past chief minister, would run for the Lok Sabha from Anantnag-Rajouri, yet he withdrew shortly afterward.
Due to health issues, Azad rarely campaigned during the assembly elections and his party ultimately did not win any seats.
In terms of governance, Omar Abdullah and his cabinet members are adjusting to their limited authority as Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha — appointed by the central government — holds most of the crucial decision-making powers.
The elected government lacks control over the home department, which remains under the lieutenant governor, and cannot alter or take action against Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.
Despite some daring attacks by terrorists, the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir remained relatively stable.
Attacks occurred in Udhampur, Kathua, Poonch, and Rajouri districts in Jammu, as well as targeting security forces and crucial infrastructure in Kashmir.
The most deadly incident took place at a tunnel construction site in Gagangir, Ganderbal district in Kashmir, resulting in seven fatalities including six migrant workers and one local physician.
