DDC'S DOZEN QUESTIONS

In Kashmir, every solution triggers new problems. While the BJP government devised a new system within the democratic set-up to address the representation issues being talked about loudly, there were new questions that the exercise raised. Yawar Hussain picks some questions from Srinagar streets and attempts an answer

- Yawar Hussain

The result of the District Development Council (DDC) election in Jammu and Kashmir was along expected lines with the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) sweeping Kashmir and the BJP retaining Jammu. BJP emerged as the largest single party with 74 seats, three of them in Kashmir, won almost all of its seats in Hindu majority belts of Jammu division, its core base.

On the other hand, the PAGD won over 100 berths, including 35 in Jammu. Within PAGD, NC had a good share of seats.

The first post-Article 370 election is being seen by various sections as a referendum as the parties fought on pro and anti Art 370. Congress, despite being supportive of the PAGD thought process, contested separately at PAGD costs.

DDC polls are seen to have brought back electoral politics. The verdict is expected to define the contours of the post-Article 370 politics.

Though avowedly developmental agencies, the DDC have already acquired a political status. In the future, parties lacking a strong DDC will rarely get to the assembly.

Right now, however, the DDC verdict has given birth to new questions, rather than answering those which were already around. These questions are uncomfortable at their own levels and being asked quite frequently these days.

HAS BJP ENTERED KASHMIR FINALLY?

BJP contested 104 of 140 seats across 10 Kashmir districts won three seats while bagging 30 thousand votes out of 9,56,7669 polled in the 8-phase exercise. These included 8959 votes from South Kashmir, 6381 in central Kashmir and 15310 from north Kashmir.