CHANGED DEMOGRAPHY OPENS UP POSSIBILITIES IN ANANTNAG

PDP’s existential threat perception led to Mehbooba Mufti fighting from Anantnag.

- BADAR BASHIR

The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir—specifically in the Valley—is seen to be an important electoral segment for the BJP (for the national narrative), which has re-engineered the contours of the seat and included a comparatively small section of Hindu voters from Jammu in the seat. However, with around 70% of the electorate of the constituency belonging to Kashmir, BJP leaders suggest that it will be a humongous task for them to craft a victory from this seat. This has subsequently shifted the focus onto the two regional forces National Conference and People’s Democratic Party. PDP chief and former J&K Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti is contesting from the seat.

IMPORTANCE OF JAMMU

With the Jammu segment of the Anantnag seat inhabited by Paharis and Gujjars, the saffron camp has chosen to favour the former at the policy level by offering them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which will give them reservation, and hence reduce the opportunity for Gujjars. Such a move has created a fertile electoral ground politically for BJP among Paharis who are expected to flock towards the lotus symbol on election day. However, this may have antagonised the rival group of Gujjars who think that they will have limited opportunities, resulting in Paharis becoming the superior group in terms of privileges.