Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024: High Stakes and Promises

Omar Abdullah aims to halt BJP's power bid in J&K, while Rashid Engineer criticizes 'Naya Kashmir' vision. First local elections post-Article 370 abrogation are set for September-October with BJP pledging women's development initiatives in its manifesto.

National Conference Vice President and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declared on Thursday that efforts are underway to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from seizing power in the Union Territory. Abdullah remarked, "If the BJP does not target us, then will it praise us? We are competing with them. We are stopping them from occupying the seat of power in J-K. We have to take account from them for what they have done in the last 10 years."

The upcoming 2024 Assembly elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370, are set to take place in three phases on September 18, September 25, and October 1, with vote counting on October 8. Concurrently, Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer, who was granted interim bail by Delhi's special NIA court in a terror funding case, emphasized the importance of the elections, asserting that Kashmir is at a critical juncture. Criticizing the central government, he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Naya Kashmir' is doomed to fail.

"I will just say that truth will prevail. I hope for justice. The election is important as Kashmir is at a crucial stage. The people of J-K will successfully fight for justice as they are united. PM Modi's so-called vision of 'Naya Kashmir' will fail," Engineer stated. Meanwhile, the BJP has made 25 promises, focusing on women, youth, Kashmiri Pandits, and the restoration of temples, as well as the elimination of terrorism. BJP J-K chief Ravinder Raina hailed the manifesto as a 'people's manifesto' and highlighted the 'Maa Samman Yojana' that pledges Rs 18,000 annually to the senior-most woman in each household in J&K.

The BJP also pledged support for Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) regarding interest on bank loans. Jammu and Kashmir, with 88.06 lakh eligible electors, has 90 Assembly constituencies, seven of which are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and nine for Scheduled Tribes (STs). In the previous elections, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) secured 28 seats, the BJP won 25, the National Conference (NC) 15, and the Congress 12.

(With inputs from agencies.)