The recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir have marked a significant moment for the Congress party, revealing a dramatic decline in its performance. Here’s a breakdown of the key events and outcomes from these elections.
Alliance with National Conference: The Congress formed a pre-poll alliance with the National Conference (NC), fielding 32 candidates mainly from Jammu. In total, regional parties put forth 51 candidates, while other smaller parties like CPI(M) and JKNPP were allotted one seat each.
Seat Sharing Agreement: Under this agreement, the NC did not contest certain constituencies to avoid splitting votes, indicating a strategic approach to maximize their chances against the BJP.
Kashmir Region Performance: While Congress struggled in Jammu, it managed to win two seats in Kashmir. Former minister Perzada Mohammad Saeed was among those who secured victory against strong opponents from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The elections saw a voter turnout of approximately 63%, marking the first assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. This change has significantly altered the political landscape of the region.
The results from these elections highlight a challenging period for the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir. With only one seat won in Jammu and losses for many senior leaders, it raises questions about the party’s future strategy and its ability to regain influence in a region that has seen substantial political shifts recently. The alliance with the National Conference may provide some stability, but the overall performance indicates a need for introspection and potential restructuring within the party.