However, the increase in the votes in J&K is not going to go well with the political parties which have already talked a lot about the delimitation commission after which the total number of assembly constituencies was increased from 83 to 90, under which Jammu got six additional seats and Kashmir got only one. The delimitation exercise itself—which then paved a way for the special summary revision—was seen as a ploy of the BJP Government by the political parties to secure power in J&K by altering the demographic structure of the UT while the same was challenged in the Supreme Court which is set hear the petition in next few days. The political parties in J&K, though, have not so far spoken about the increase in the number of electors.
But what exactly is the BJP Government trying to achieve out of what it has been doing after 2019, can be understood by recalling the chain of events that occurred over the last few years. PDP which allied with BJP in J&K when it rose to power was decimated after 2019 and was left with just a few people while at the same time, those who deserted the party formed another bigger party with senior political leaders. Then there was the delimitation which ensured an increase in the seats in Jammu and then we saw the increase in the number of electors, however, it is not clear which division has witnessed more increase in the votes, Kashmir or Jammu?
It is all pointing to the direction where BJP is eyeing to form the next Government in J&K—having all the factors in its favour—with the necessary support from those in Kashmir who also believe in side-lining the traditional and family-oriented political parties. The numbers are in the favour of BJP; in other words, BJP perhaps has ensured numbers in its favour in J&K where it would want to see itself emerging as a bigger power, make all others look small in terms of electoral gains and become a decisive side to determine who is going to get hold of the power. The party’s line of action in electoral politics needs to be seen in the light of its progression and its aim of achieving country-wide dominance by hook or crook.
