TL;DR: For the first time in over a decade, Jammu and Kashmir will have an elected government! š The India Alliance, led by the National Conference (NC) and Congress, secured 49 seats, defeating BJP, which managed only 29 seats. While the win is significant, the real victory is the return of democracy after years of political limbo following the abrogation of Article 370. MediaFx feels that this election is more about the people of J&K finally getting their voice back, rather than just who won the most seats. āšŖ
What Happened? š¤
In a highly anticipated election after ten long yearsĀ without an elected assembly, the people of Jammu and KashmirĀ have finally spoken! The India Alliance, composed of the National Conference (NC)Ā and Congress, won 49 out of 90 seats, surpassing the required majority of 46 seats. On the other side, BJP, despite its strong presence in Jammu, only managed to win 29 seats, falling short of expectations.
The election, which was held in three phasesĀ from September 18 to October 1, 2024, saw a voter turnout of 63.45%. This marked the first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370Ā in 2019, which revoked the special status of the state and downgraded it to a Union Territory. The elections also saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)Ā winning 1 seat, making its debut in J&K politicsĀ .
Why This Election Matters Most! š£ļø
While the focus is often on who won, MediaFx believes the real winnerĀ is democracyĀ itself. For the past decade, J&K had been governed by central authorities, with no elected local government representing the peopleās will. This election restores the peopleās right to elect their leadersĀ after so many years of uncertainty and disenfranchisement.
After years of instability following the abrogation of Article 370, it was essential for the people of J&K to feel heard. Voters from the Kashmir ValleyĀ and Jammu regionĀ came out to assert their right to govern themselves, showing that even after long periods of state repression and conflict, democracy thrives. The 63% voter turnoutĀ in these elections demonstrates that the people of J&K were eager for this opportunityĀ .
The India Alliance Strategy: A Lesson for Congress š„
Interestingly, Congress was not the lead partyĀ in this alliance, and that played in its favor! The National Conference (NC), led by Omar Abdullah, took center stage, ensuring that the campaign focused on local issuesĀ and regional representation, rather than depending solely on national-level anti-BJP sentiment.
In the past, Congress often faltered when it tried to be the dominant force, but in J&K, it smartly took a backseat, letting the NCĀ lead the charge. This strategy allowed the alliance to present a united front while avoiding the polarizing national imageĀ Congress carries in
