Farooq Abdullah described the election results as a “verdict” against Modi’s government. Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) held its first election for a regional government on Tuesday since the territory came under direct control of New Delhi, with voters favoring opposition parties to lead the assembly.
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked Kashmir’s partial autonomy, a move that sparked mass arrests and a prolonged communications blackout. Since then, the Muslim-majority region, home to around 12 million people, has been governed by an appointee from New Delhi rather than an elected local body.
Although national elections occurred in June, marking Modi’s third term, these are the first local elections since 2014. As results came in, an alliance of the National Conference (NC) and Congress parties appeared poised to form a government, leading to celebrations among supporters.
By mid-afternoon, Election Commission data indicated that the NC and Congress had secured 47 out of 90 assembly seats, far surpassing Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won only 27. Many viewed the vote as a de facto referendum on the central government’s decision to revoke the territory’s special status.
“The people have passed their judgment against what New Delhi did,” stated social activist Iqbal Ahmad Bhat.
With half a million Indian troops stationed in the northern region, the area has faced a 35-year insurgency, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties, including many this year.
“We are pleased with the election results and hope for the restoration of our political rights,” expressed Jahangir Ahmad, part of the cheering crowds outside the expected new chief minister Omar Abdullah’s residence.
Farooq Abdullah, the NC president and Omar’s father, asserted that the election outcomes represent a significant disapproval of Modi’s governance. However, critics argue that the new assembly will hold only nominal powers over education and culture, with New Delhi retaining the authority to override legislation and appoint the governor.
The BJP claims that its changes have ushered in a new era of peace and economic growth in Kashmir—claims that are disputed by opposition parties. The BJP managed to secure seats in the predominantly Hindu Jammu region and contested only about a third of the seats in the Kashmir valley.
Additionally, results from Haryana, a state adjacent to New Delhi, were announced, showing the BJP leading against the opposition Congress. Among the newly-elected legislators is retired wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who ran for Congress after transitioning to politics following her disqualification from the Paris Olympics. Last year, she participated in protests against the former national wrestling federation chief amid sexual harassment allegations.
