Jammu and Kashmir has not seen an elected government since 2018, after the BJP pulled out of the coalition government with the J&K Peoples Democratic Party. A year later, Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, was revoked. Recently though, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that assembly elections would soon be held. For now, there is electoral buzz thanks to the Lok Sabha polls. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency. She entered politics under the guidance of her father and PDP founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and became the first female chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after his passing in 2016. Her Lok Sabha campaign is centred on safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir's unique identity, resources, jobs and land. Excerpts from an interview:
Q/ The voter turnout is expected to rise this time. Do you think people will support you again?
A/ The parliamentary election is an opportunity for people to express their feelings about how suffocated they have felt since 2019, and to denounce what happened as wrong, unconstitutional and contrary to the promises made. The narrative from the BJP is that all is well because tourists come to Kashmir and take selfies. But in reality, people are suffering in silence and are heartbroken. I am confident they will come out and vote.
Q/ What is your response to BJP's claims that post Article 370 abrogation, the situation has improved, terrorism is ending and Jammu and Kashmir is progressing?
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