J&K’s Statehood Regain After Elections

The National Conference-Congress-CPI(M) INDIA bloc alliance in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has received 53 out of 90 MLAs’ endorsement in the newly elected Assembly.
• The alliance faced challenges including a fragmented party system, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) challenge, and a wary electorate.
• Despite these challenges, the alliance won a significant share of seats in the Valley and reserved seats in Jammu.
• The National Conference must now fulfill its mandate, but the BJP’s hardline stance towards India’s border province and the Supreme Court’s forced hand in the elections pose challenges.
• The restoration of statehood is a crucial step, but the Centre’s delay suggests it was willing to do so at a moment of its choosing.
• Statehood and a vibrant Assembly could reactivate the political, administrative, and civic aspects of democracy beyond electioneering and rule by fiat from the Centre.