NEW DELHI, India: The 2024 Lok Sabha election results in IIOJK showcased a significant shift, with the rejection of traditional parties such as the PDP, NC, and BJP’s proxy parties, including DPAP, People’s Conference, and Apni Party.
Former legislator Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rasheed, who is imprisoned in Tihar jail, won the Baramulla seat as an independent candidate, defeating former CM Omar Abdullah.
The high voter turnout in the historically low-participation Kashmir Valley signals strong resistance to BJP’s political influence and a rejection of its political machinations.
The election results indicate that the Kashmiri people have rejected the BJP and its proxies. Candidates advocating the restoration of statehood won by large margins.
In Baramulla, Engineer Rasheed defeated former CM Omar Abdullah. Rasheed was arrested in August 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, NC candidate Mian Altaf Ahmad defeated former CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. Additionally, NC candidate Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi defeated PDP’s Waheed Ur Rehman in Srinagar.
BJP candidates Dr. Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore won the Udhampur and Jammu seats, respectively.
In Ladakh, independent candidate Mohmad Haneefa defeated candidates from both the INC and BJP.
The political narrative in IIOJK is deeply rooted in anger over the suppression of rights, erosion of local autonomy, and demographic changes due to new domicile laws.
The BJP aimed to create a coalition government with the DPAD, Apni Party, and People’s Conference and abstained from fielding candidates in the Kashmir Valley. This move was intended to split the anti-BJP vote in Kashmir and focus on the predominantly Hindu Jammu region.
Although the election results are almost similar to those of 2019, experts believe that the victory of Engineer Rasheed represents a paradigm shift in the political landscape of IIOJK.
Moreover, the landslide victory of the staunch anti-Indian occupation and pro-freedom leader indicates that the people of Kashmir have now made a clear political choice.
The Kashmiris of IIOJK have, through political discourse, defeated the BJP’s designs aimed at creating a pro-BJP political face in IIOJK to pursue its Hindutva agenda.
Overall, the election results indicate that Kashmiris have rejected Modi’s proxies, the Indian narrative of normalcy, anti-Muslim policies, and the abrogation of Article 370.
Analysis
The 2024 Lok Sabha election results in IIOJK signify a powerful statement against the BJP’s attempts to assert control and influence in the region. Engineer Rasheed’s victory from jail epitomizes the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people to resist political suppression and assert their rights. This election has highlighted the deep-seated grievances of the Kashmiris regarding the erosion of their autonomy and the imposition of new domicile laws, which they view as an attempt to alter the demographic fabric of the region.
The rejection of traditional and BJP-aligned parties underscores a broader discontent with the political status quo and a yearning for genuine representation that addresses the aspirations and struggles of the Kashmiri populace. The high voter turnout in an area historically known for electoral apathy further emphasizes the urgency and gravity of the current political climate.
Rasheed’s victory is more than a political triumph; it is a symbolic win for the oppressed voices in Kashmir, signaling a clear rejection of the BJP’s policies and a demand for the restoration of statehood and autonomy. As the region grapples with the aftermath of these results, it is imperative for policymakers to heed this unequivocal message and engage in meaningful dialogue to address the long-standing issues faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
