Srinagar: With the announcement of the long-awaited Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the region’s political turf is rapidly evolving as major parties gear up for the first polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The elections, slated to be held in three phases starting September 18, have stirred intense political activity in the Union. The PDP, led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, is holding a key meeting today to finalize its candidates for the Assembly polls. Speculation is rife that Iltija Mufti, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, is likely to be fielded from the politically significant Anantnag constituency in South Kashmir. Iltija’s entry into the electoral fray could signal a strategic shift within the PDP as it seeks to reclaim its political stronghold in the region.The Election Commission’s announcement of the three-phased elections has been met with broad approval across the political spectrum. Leaders from various parties have welcomed the move, viewing it as a vital step towards restoring democratic governance in the Union Territory, which has been under Central rule for six years. The polling dates are set for September 18, 25, and October 1, with the counting of votes scheduled for October 4.However, the lead-up to the elections has not been without controversy. A significant reshuffle within the Jammu and Kashmir Police as well as the bureaucracy, announced on Friday, has raised concerns among some political figures about the impartiality of the upcoming elections. The reshuffle, which included the appointment of senior IPS officer Nalin Prabhat as the new Special Director General of Police, replacing R R Swain upon his retirement, has prompted criticism from PDP leaders.Iltija Mufti, speaking to reporters, expressed apprehension about the fairness of the electoral process. “Our concern is that elections should be conducted free, fair, and transparent,” she stated, pointing to the abrupt and extensive transfers within the police force just before the election announcement. She accused the Lieutenant Governor’s administration of bias and favouritism towards the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which she claimed could undermine the integrity of the election.Adding to the political flux, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, a prominent former PDP leader and ex-cabinet minister in the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government, joined the BJP on Sunday. His defection marks a significant shift in the UT’s political alignments, particularly as the BJP seeks to consolidate its influence in the run-up to the Assembly polls.Ali, who had previously won from the Darhal constituency in Rajouri district in the 2008 and 2014 elections on a PDP ticket, was also a founding member of the Apni Party, which was formed in 2020 by disgruntled PDP members.The upcoming elections are set to be a litmus test for the PDP as it tries to tackle internal challenges as well as external pressures in a bid to regain its foothold in Jammu and Kashmir. With Mehbooba Mufti at the helm and Iltija Mufti poised to potentially enter the electoral arena, the PDP’s strategy in this high-stakes political contest will be closely watched by observers and constituents alike. (KNT)
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