Mainstream challengers

Collaboration between Engineer Rashid and the Jamaat-e-Islami has caused unease in the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party camps

- TARIQ BHAT

The ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir promise to be a closely fought contest. The National Conference-Congress alliance has momentum, especially in Kashmir and parts of Jammu, but it faces a challenge from new political players such as Engineer Rashid, leader of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). The JeI is backing candidates in seven seats—five in south and two in north Kashmir—while the AIP is contesting 34 seats.

The collaboration between Rashid and the JeI has caused unease in the NC and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the two main regional parties. Rashid’s appeal has grown a lot after he won the Baramulla Lok Sabha election from jail, defeating the NC’s Omar Abdullah and Sajad Lone of the People’s Conference (PC). The NC and the PDP have alleged that Rashid, who was granted interim bail on September 10, is a BJP proxy released to split the opposition vote. Given the region’s complex demographics, even a small shift in voter preference could affect outcomes in several constituencies.

Although there is no overwhelming wave of support for the NC-Congress alliance, the NC’s leadership and strong organisational structure have helped it navigate the aftermath of the removal of Article 370 better than parties like the PDP. This was reinforced by the party’s performance in the Lok Sabha polls.

As for the Congress, it is buoyed by its increased vote share of 19 per cent, despite losing both Jammu seats to the BJP.

The PDP, though excluded from the alliance because of the NC’s opposition, aligns with the anti-BJP stance. Together, the NC-Congress alliance and the PDP led in 46 assembly segments—the number needed to form government—in the Lok Sabha elections.