Modi's BJP skips election in Kashmir as critics dispute integration claims

Indian Premier Narendra Modi's electoral campaign traverses India's diverse landscape, yet a notable absence marks this journey: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is notably absent from Kashmir's electoral fray for the first time since 1996. In a region marred by a 35-year-long struggle against Indian governance, where tens of thousands have perished, this absence speaks volumes.

Instead of the BJP, the electoral stage in the Muslim-majority region is dominated by local powerhouses, the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). While these parties vie for the three available seats, they share a common stance against the Hindu nationalist BJP, indicating a potential alignment with the Congress-led opposition alliance.
Critics and analysts speculate that the BJP's decision to abstain from the electoral contest stems from the anticipated contradiction it might pose to Modi's narrative of a tranquil and integrated Kashmir. Modi's administration drew global attention in 2019 by revoking the region's semi-autonomous status, subsequently subjecting it to direct governance from New Delhi. This move purportedly aimed at fostering peace and integration in the troubled region.
Despite skipping the Kashmir elections, the BJP remains a formidable force elsewhere in India, leveraging its Hindu-centric image to potentially secure a majority in the parliament. Modi champions his decision in 2019 as a harbinger of normalcy in Kashmir, promising imminent economic development and employment opportunities. Supporting this narrative, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah contends that the youth now wield laptops instead of stones—a symbolic shift from violent protest to peaceful productivity.
The restructuring of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two federally governed territories—Kashmir Valley and Jammu plains, along with Ladakh—further underscores the government's efforts to assert control. However, this transition was accompanied by a stringent lockdown in Kashmir, with local leaders, including Abdullah, detained for months, igniting criticism and controversy.
Ravinder Raina, chief of the BJP's Kashmir unit, maintains that the party's decision to refrain from contesting is part of a broader strategic agenda, though specifics remain undisclosed. He asserts that the BJP will extend support to candidates committed to peace, unity, and democracy in each constituency. However, the party is yet to announce its preferred candidate from the array of smaller parties participating in the elections.